Al Ain Zoo is at the cutting edge of conservation and animal welfare, outgoing World Association of Zoos and Aquariums president Lee Ehmke said on the final day of the association's 70th conference on Thursday.

"What Al Ain has done is a model for not just zoos in the Middle East, but around the world. It's very impressive and exciting.”

The zoo's efforts to educate people on how they can help the cause of conservation was in keeping with Waza's vision for the role of zoos.

"There are many things ordinary people can do to help. One example is to recycle your cell phone.

"These phones use rare earth materials that are often illegally mined in ways that destroy the habitats of the great apes,” Mr Ehmke said.

Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri said that since its inception the institution has been a conservation project, not just a zoo, leading the way with the Arabian Oryx and sand cat.

"We have a broader vision of what a zoo can do and provide,” Mr Al Hajeri said.

"We host workshops on diabetes and cancer, we have a technology week and do a lot of educational work.”

With the zoo attracting more than a million visitors a year, Mr Al Hajeri said he wanted the zoo's educational efforts to touch not only the minds of visitors, but also their hearts.

"They must leave with a change in perception, and carry the message of conservation out with them. We want them to be ambassadors who extend the conservation message to the wider community.”

Waza executive chairman Gerald Dick praised the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre at Al Ain Zoo.

"The centre is fantastic and has a stunning design,” he said.

"We're extremely proud to be in the UAE for Waza's 70th anniversary. This event is sure to be a landmark in the organisation's history.”

The conference, hosted by Al Ain Zoo at Al Ain Danat Resort, concluded with a gala dinner at Al Ain Palace Museum on Thursday night

Source: The National