UAE’s Al Ain Zoo protects 55-year-old perennial trees

UAE’s Al Ain Zoo is protecting and maintaining a number of 55-year-old perennial trees including Sidr, Samar, and Ghaf as part of environmental conservation.

The zoo was established in 1968 and has been remarkably preserving an extensive range of wild plants, especially perennial trees.

There are around 100 trees scattered across different Zoo and the Al Ain Safari areas where visitors can stand in awe and observe their majestic size and sprawling branches.

“We periodically maintain some of our perennial trees through pruning, while others are expertly relocated during construction projects and then replanted using an efficient irrigation system to ensure their preservation during the process.” said the Unit Head of Landscape at Al Ain Zoo Aisha Saif Al Hamidi.

The Zoo is not only working on protecting the older generation of the plants but also propagating these trees by collecting their seeds and storing them in a seed bank.

The trees provide browse for animals and offer dates and fruits, and it also improves landscaping within the Zoo’s premises.

The protection of the local plants in the area is a part of the Zoo’s mission to protect and maintain wildlife in all its forms.