Walkers get in touch with nature at al-Ain Zoo

Emiratis, residents and tourists turned out in force in perfect conditions on Saturday for the second annual EnviroWalk at Al Ain Zoo.

Those taking part in the event, which aims to promote a healthier lifestyle and environmental conservation, strolled among more than 3,700 native and exotic animals.

Zoo officials said both goals were accomplished as the large crowd marched as a group for about 1.5 kilometres along the cobblestone pathways to be "in touch with nature”, as the T-shirt slogan had it.

"It was great. The number of participants really was amazing this year – almost double from last year,” said Ghanim Al Hajeri, director general of Al Ain Zoo and one of the walkers.

"We wait every year to be part of it. The EnviroWalk is a message for people to get closer to the wildlife and acknowledge the beauty of their surroundings.

"I think the message has spread and more people are aware of it. This is something that we're really proud to have in the zoo.”

Walkers included zoo staff, families, tourists and a group of about 25 students and administrators from Future International Academy, who were led by the Abu Dhabi Police marching band.

The animated group sent the patas monkeys scurrying up the branches in their cage and gained the attention of the giraffes.

"They're excited, it's like they're dancing,” said Muna Al Otaiba, a 23-year-old volunteer for the event, of the giraffes.

"Who says animals don't enjoy music?”

Even the albino lion and lioness came out of their den to stand on a hillock and see what all the excitement was about.

Neil White, a Briton who lives in Al Ain, took his two children to the zoo. The three left dressed in Al Ain Zoo EnviroWalk T-shirts and baseball caps, holding lunch boxes and a large bag filled with gifts, which they won by being the first to register.

""What was really interesting was the reaction of the animals to the band,” said Mr Whit.

"The lions on the rock watching – it was really interesting to see their reactions, and the giraffes as well, running around.”

At the end of the walk, there was a competition where members of the audience were challenged to win prizes by answering pop quiz questions such as, "who was the first head of state to receive the Gold Panda prize for the environment?”

The answer, of course, was the founding President Sheikh Zayed, who is recognised as the father of the environmental movement in the country.

The zoo is within months of opening its Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, a sustainable architectural marvel powered in part by a solar farm at the centre of the zoo.

It is dedicated to displaying the environmental legacy of Sheikh Zayed, who started the zoo.

Amna Al Otaiba, the zoo's acting director of environment, health and safety, hoped that by this time next year EnviroWalk would include a visit to the centre.

"This is the most sustainable building in the Middle East,” said Ms Al Otaiba.

"They wanted a building that helped to explain sustainability, protecting the environment, and implementing sustainability within the UAE.”

The building's design has already earned the five-pearl rating of the Estidama System for sustainability from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

"Everything you can think about sustainability, about protecting the environment, everything is within this building,” said Ms Al Otaiba. "In the zoo we are encouraging walking and health, and inside the building it is a healthy environment.”