Sir Bani Yas wildlife reserve welcomes new addition of giraffes

ABU DHABI, 9th July, 2015 (WAM) -- Sir Bani Yas, the award-winning nature and wildlife island reserve, recently welcomed two Reticulated Giraffe calves to its wildlife family, which features thousands of free-roaming wild animals. The calves were born after a gestation period of 15 months and these latest additions bring the total number of reticulated giraffes on the Island to 37. Marius Prinsloo, General Manager of Sir Bani Yas Corporate Operations, said, "We are pleased to welcome these latest additions to our wildlife family. The healthy calves are a result of our breeding and monitoring programmes that ensure the Island as a haven for diverse wildlife population." "Since the breeding programme’s inception on Sir Bani Yas, the Island has successfully contributed Reticulated Giraffes to various reserves and private institutions across the UAE. This contribution offered a great range of opportunities to raise awareness about these unique mammals," added Prinsloo. Easily identifiable by their great height, the giraffes can be seen wandering around the 4,100 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park – a popular attraction on the island. An 87-square kilometre island located off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Sir BaniYas was developed into a wildlife reserve by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Today, as a result of dedicated environmental and conservation efforts, over 13,000 free-roaming animals and birds – including Oryx, gazelles, deer, ostriches, giraffes and cheetahs - call the island home. – Emirates News Agency, WAM –http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395283033971.html