Al Ain Zoo welcomes Jersey delegation

As part of its commitment to the conservation of endangered species, Al Ain Zoo recently welcomed a delegation from the Government of the British Channel Island of Jersey to discuss the further development of collaboration between the Zoo and the Jersey-based Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Led by Jersey's Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst, the delegation included Mike King, CEO of the Jersey Economic Development Department, Dan Marcos, Senior External Relations Officer, Jersey Ministry of External Relations, Sean Costello, UAE representative, Jersey Finance, and Peter Hellyer, Director of External Information and Research, UAE's National Media Council. Al Ain Zoo and Durrell Wildlife have long shared a collaborative relationship, focussed on training and the transfer of expertise. Among the key topics discussed with the Jersey delegation was the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre - the crown jewel of the planned Al Ain Zoo expansion project - that will feature educational exhibits that celebrate the wildlife and traditions of the desert, as well as the conservation-related vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Commenting on this visit, Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of Al Ain Zoo, said: "Al Ain Zoo has strong partnerships with zoological institutions. These are invaluable in the success of wildlife conservation of wildlife at a global level. Our relationship with Jersey is one of our numerous strategic partnerships and programmes, both in the UAE and overseas. Al Ain Zoo was delighted to welcome our visitors from Jersey and we look forward for future collaboration that will further strengthen our position as global leaders in wildlife conservation." Senator Gorst added: "I was delighted to visit the Zoo and to discuss some of the work it is doing with Durrell. It is a partnership that has great potential to make a significant contribution to wildlife conservation within the UAE and far beyond. Both institutions share a commitment to excellence and the sharing of expertise in this field is a valuable addition to the rapidly diversifying relationship between Jersey and the UAE." Al Ain Zoo works in partnership with entities around the world, such as the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, to share best practice in animal management and wildlife sustainability. Al Ain Zoo is also strongly involved in areas such as captive management, conservation research, captive breeding, propagation and the reintroduction of endangered species in to the wild whenever it is possible. Al Ain Zoo is a member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquaria (WAZA) and is actively involved in several internationally coordinated conservation projects, working with other like-minded organisations such as Durrell Wildlife, Jersey, the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, the Species Survival Commission, San Diego Zoo, the Northern Rangelands Trust of Kenya and the Sahara Conservation Fund