A Zoo For Small Children In Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a great place. It's hard to imagine that just about 4 decades back this was a barren sea of sand. Abu Dhabi lies at the edge of the Great Arabian Desert but at many places, the sand dunes have been greened. The soil was imported from Pakistan and trees and shrubs planted changing the face of this area. The capital Abu Dhabi has a small zoo. This is about 20km from the city center.  The zoo at Abu Dhabi must not be mistaken from the one at Alain which is about 100 km away and is a much bigger zoo.

The Abu Dhabi

zoo is in my view having a special place as it mostly houses small animals and everyday animals. It has a string of birds and falcons, but one leg of the birds is chained to a small tree. The cages are kept open and the falcons and eagles just sit there. 

The zoo also houses everyday animals and one can even see the Arabian donkey and camel. There are cows and buffaloes as well.  The zebra and flamingoes are there and tiny Nile crocodiles. One wonders what they do when the tiny crocodiles grow up? Do the zoo authorities send then to a bigger zoo.?

Compared to the bigger zoo at Alain, the Abu Dhabi zoo is small. this is the beauty of the zoo as one can just walk around the zoo. Mostly, children will

love it who otherwise have to travel in a cart in a bigger zoo. The aquarium is wonderful and small sharks and fishes will delight a visitor. There is a reptile enclosure with plenty of snakes as well as the desert python. The zoo has quite a few eating joints as well and cold drinks and ice cream can be had along with a snack.

The animals are kept in open enclosures and the delight is the camel enclosure. One can buy feed for AED 10 ( $2.5) and feed the camel. This is something the children will love. The Abu Dhabi zoo has a niche for itself and in case you have some toddlers with you, it's a nice place to visit. It is easily accessible by bus and Taxi. 

The zoo also has some live shows at a small amphitheater.There are fixed timings.One can also photograph a child with an Arabian eagle.  The smallness of the zoo is its beauty and it does not take much time to walk through. The zoo is a good pass time and one will need half a day to visit it. There is a small entrance fee as well.