Al Ain Zoo welcomes a new baby Harris Hawk

Al Ain Zoo welcomes a new baby Harris Hawk

AL AIN, U.A.E. 28 July 2021: Al Ain Zoo has welcomed its first Harris Hawk hatchling. Harris Hawks are birds of prey that belong to the falcon family which originally populated North and South America.

Jawaher Salem Al Shamisi Supervisor Bird Trainer at Al Ain Zoo Said “ the baby Harris Hawk is in good health after all the necessary veterinary tests have been conducted, and it will stay in its mother’s care for 40 days before participating in one of the Zoo’s most popular events, “Desert Birds of Prey” which includes various shows for falcons, hawks, owls and parrots, giving visitors a chance of taking a memorable photo with any of the birds. The show starts at 6 pm daily in the bird enclosure.”

The Zoo has included 6 Harris Hawks in the event since 2014, among a group of 87 birds from different species. Unlike other birds of prey, the Harris Hawk is a sociable bird both between each other and with humans, living in groups even during hunting. They hunt collectively as a group, which is why they are also called sky wolves, and their presence in the wild extends from the southwestern United States to the middle part of South America.

Harris Hawks live for an average of 20 years and feed on a variety of animals including lizards, large insects, small mammals, rodents and other small birds. The bird’s beautiful colors vary between dark brown, chestnut, red and white, with long yellow legs and white tails. Adults range in height from 46 to 59 centimeters

with a wingspan of between103 and 120 centimeters when extended. Females are usually larger than the males.

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About Al Ain Zoo:

Al Ain Zoo is the first zoo of its kind in the Middle East. Founded in 1968 to be then classified as an independent government body, affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, under the name “Zoo and Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain” in 2005. The Zoo is known internationally for its efforts in the conservation of nature and wildlife, and its care of about 4000 animals. Al Ain Zoo is a unique educational, recreational, and environmental destination thanks to its facilities and services that cater to individuals and institutions. Today, our visitors of all ages and interests enjoy discovering the wildlife in our Zoo in an atmosphere of amazement and adventure full of diverse learning experiences.

We have distinguished ourselves by joining international and local conservation organizations. We are members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).

We have strategic partnerships with local and international organizations that focus and implement wildlife conservation programs including the International Union for Conservation of Nature -the Species Survival Commission (IUCN- SSC), Lewa Wildlife Conservancy—Kenya, Sahara Conservation Fund, Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD), Royal Zoological Society of Scotlandand Conservation Planning Specialist Group.

As part of the UAE's commitment to preserve wildlife locally and globally, Al Ain Zoo is working to develop and expand the current park with new exhibits and experiences that will create a unique educational journey about wildlife conservation for our visitors.