Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort welcomes three new arrivals to its 4300-strong animal family with the birth of a white-bellied bustard and two Chilean flamingos.
Born weighing less than 60 grams, the white-bellied bustard originates from the grassy regions of Africa. With a distinctive white belly and blue-grey neck, the chick has black facial markings not typically seen in females. The white bellied bustard is similar to the famous but critically endangered, Houbara bustard found in the UAE and North Africa and central Asia.
The Chilean flamingos were born in good health to a first time mother four weeks ago. Native to temperate climates of South America, the flamingos can grow as large as 110-130 cm when in full size and are closely related to the flamingos of the UAE. Wild flamingos can be seen in the mangrove forests of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Khor Kalba. These wild flamingos are listed as ‘near threatened’ because of habitat loss and pollution. The Chilean Flamingos are a stunning species varying in colour from pale to dark pink – a colour that changes depending upon the diet of the bird.
Visitors can catch a glimpse of the white-bellied bustard chick with its mother in the aviary with the grey parrot, near to the popular gibbon exhibit. The flamingos can be seen near the main entrance to the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort.
The Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort’s collection of birds represents a selection of the wild species found in the UAE. Flamingos and bustards are threatened by habitat destruction and pollution due to human activity. AWPR seeks to introduce the species to visitors to help them learn about the threats to these animals in their natural environment. The development of the bird collection allows visitors to be in touch with nature in the UAE.
