Arabian Wildlife Centre in Sharjah Desert Park shows diversity of Arabian fauna

SHARJAH (WAM): The Arabian Wildlife Centre was established in 1999 pursuant to the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, of the importance of preserving the environment and conserving nature, demonstrating the diversity of the fauna found in the Arabian Peninsula and creating awareness of endangered species. The centre, which houses both existing and extinct species of animals exhibited in safe, spacious and natural surroundings, serves all educational institutions, especially schools that are interested in learning about the biodiversity of the U.A.E. and abroad, and the characteristics of animals and their countries of origin. The Arabian Wildlife Centre houses the world's largest collection of species found in the Arabian Peninsula and it also the only zoological park in the Middle East to be completely indoors. It distinguished by rare animals that have difficulty existing in different places of the region like the Arabian leopard and the Arabian Tahr. In addition, the activities and events organised in the centre contribute to spreading awareness of the importance of these wild animals and keeping them in their natural habitats, which has led to people bringing some of the animals that are found rather than kill them. The centre has been divided into various sections, starting with reptiles and insects, which includes many kinds of Arabian snakes, including venomous vipers, lizards and chameleons, and there are different kinds of amphibians and invertebrates, such as camel spiders and scorpions. Common insects are also exhibited in this section. The birds section displays the natural environment of the Arabian Peninsula in general, like the wadi and desert environment, which includes several species of birds like Indian rollers, houbara and flamingos. Then there is the nocturnal animals section, where day has been turned into night, to display a surprising variety of mammals, including three species of fox, hedgehogs, mongoose and twelve rodent species, in their favoured habitat. Then comes the open garden, where visitors can take a break and rest in a cafe overlooking the palm garden where you can see deer, Arabian Oryx, ostriches and mule deer live freely on a rocky mountain. The animals meet at a small lake to drink water. The finale section takes you to observe wild animals like baboons, wolves, striped hyena, cheetah and the rare and captivating Arabian leopard. The Arabian Wildlife Centre welcomes visitors who are seeking peace and quiet in the lap of charming nature. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270207423.html