With the attendance of Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Al Ain Zoo Board of Directors Deputy Chair, and the Chairman of the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Zoo representatives were in Paris last week to meet and develop an historic partnership with the senior management of the National Museum of Natural History, resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding that paves the way for a wide range of important initiatives between both parties.

The first steps of the partnership will be to establish an on-going information exchange, ensuring conservation and education programmes, animal management best practices, marketing initiatives and insights, are shared.

The partnership will lead to the development of deeper joint programmes, such as animal exchanges, staff learning visits and other initiatives that further both organisations.

The Zoos of the Museum in Paris are facilities under the Museum of Natural History, established in 1635 by King Louis XIII. The Parc Zoologique De Paris, Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes, the second oldest zoo in the world, and Reserve de la Haute Touche perform many important roles in conservation, education and has a tradition of scientific research. This experience will complement Al Ain Zoo's increasingly wider mandate, which includes strong elements of education, scientific research and outreach that Al Ain Zoo will introduce with the new Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.

Al Ain Zoo Director-General, Ghanim Al Hajeri, said, "Al Ain Zoo is very excited to have a partnership with such an esteemed leader in the world of zoos. This relationship will lead to many synergies and spark innovation across conservation, education and visitor experience. We are delighted that our on-going efforts in these areas have been recognised by Paris Zoo and indeed the wider zoo community, as noted by our recent full membership of EAZA, the European Zoo and Aquarium Association."
Source: WAM