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Over 300,000 visit Sharjah desert park

The Desert Park of the Environment and Natural Reserves in Sharjah had attracted around 300,000 visitors in 2012.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Environment and Natural Reserves in Sharjah, said the visitors included some 195,000 at the Arabian Peninsula Animals Centre, and about 73,000 at the Natural History and Botanical Museums and 96,000 visitors at the Children’s Farm.

Al Suwaidi attributed the big number of visitors to the diverse workshops and activities the Desert Park organises on a regular basis. “The easily accessible Desert Park, located 28km off Sharjah city on Al Dhaid Road (Interchange-9), comprises several eateries, cafes, apart from the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife.”

The park covers an area of one square kilometre and offers three venues in one with the Sharjah Natural History Museum and Botanical Museum, Arabia’s Wildlife Centre and the Children’s Farm. The Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife is also located at the park and is an impressive research and breeding facility, but not open to the public.

“The park is definitely one of the most popular and highly recommended attractions in the UAE,” Al Suwaidi said, adding that school and group visits are welcome but advance booking is required.

Elaborating, Al Suwaidi said not only does the Wildlife Centre house the world’s largest collection of Arabian wildlife but it is also the only zoological park in the Middle East to be completely indoors, making it perfect for a day out, regardless of the weather.

“The Wildlife Centre has been divided up into various sections, each dedicated to a group of species including reptiles, invertebrates, birds, nocturnal animals, ungulates and large carnivores.”

“The breeding centre is currently home to 30 Arabian leopards of which 25 were born here,” said Al Suwaidi explained.

Earlier this year, the centre witnessed the breeding of an Arabian Oryx (a medium-sized antelope with a distinct shoulder hump, long, straight horns, and a tufted tail). “This is added to 26 Nubian Ibex, 10 mountainous deer and 26 sand gazelle,” she said.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com