ADMC Students Visit the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre
Steven BurnsBy: Steven Burns, Ron Hasinsky and Ian Sinnott
Three English Level 3 Foundations classes from Abu Dhabi Men’s College had the privilege of visiting the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre which was set-up to help rescue and rehabilitate exotic and illegally imported animals. As this visit was so successful, further visits with other classes are planned.
As the bus carrying the students and three English teachers bounced along the off-road track to the Wildlife Centre, the view was most certainly wild; and when we arrived there was nothing but sand surrounding the area behind Al Wathba Lake on the Al Ain truck road outside Musaffah. The air was hot and still and apart from the noise of the trucks in the background there was no sign of life.
The centre reception area is very well set up with an education area and even a gift shop. The Centre has numerous animals, from exotic birds (including a very talkative mynah) to big cats – among them white Bengal tigers, several pairs of lions, two jaguars and many cheetahs, including a rare King cheetah. Students were quite awestruck by the experience of being up close and personal with these extraordinary animals as they jump, run and gnaw at absolutely anything in sight. Our guide, Steve, was a mine of information and explained some of the efforts to rehabilitate the animals.
The overall experience was without doubt rewarding and students and teachers alike came away with an understanding of the need to educate people on the dangers of owning exotic animals as pets – these animals belong in the wild.
