A global milestone for Al Ain Zoo
In September 2025, Al Ain Zoo officially joined the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global body for institutions committed to wildlife conservation, animal welfare, sustainability and environmental education.
It was the zoo’s second major international recognition of the year, following accreditation earlier in 2025 from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), one of the toughest benchmarks in the zoo world.
Abu Dhabi’s conservation vision in action
Waleed Saeed Al Saeedi, Managing Director of the Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain (ZAPIA), said the milestone reflects Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision to protect biodiversity and natural heritage for future generations.
Membership is more than a badge. It opens the door to joint research, shared species care programmes, sustainability initiatives and international collaboration, which in practice means better-informed care for the animals you see on a visit.
Why it matters for tourism and conservation
The move strengthens Abu Dhabi’s standing in eco-tourism. As Eng. Ahmed Eisa Al Harrasi, Acting Director General of ZAPIA, put it: “This membership also opens new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and adopting best practices that will have a real impact on protecting biodiversity and advancing conservation efforts globally.”
In short, Al Ain Zoo is not just a fun family day out. It is now part of the same global network as the world’s leading conservation zoos. See how that played out on the world stage in our piece on Al Ain Zoo at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
Planning a visit
Al Ain Zoo – 217-hectare wildlife park in southern Al Ain, on the way to Jebel Hafeet, about 1 hour 45 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi Corniche. Contact: 800 966 (in the UAE) or +971 3 799 2000, alainzoo.com. Hours change by season, so check the website before you go. For what is on right now, read our Al Ain Zoo guide.
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Visit in the late afternoon from October to April. The animals are far more active once the heat drops, the giraffe feeding is less of a scrum and you can finish the day with a sunset drive up Jebel Hafeet, just down the road.
More on this: Al Ain Zoo at IUCN Congress: Sand Cats, Gazelles and Elephants | Souq Al Wahat at Al Ain Oasis: Inside the Weekend Pop-Up Market
