ANIMAL SANCTUARIES UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Animal Sanctuary at The Sustainable City in Dubai is a free-admission community wildlife experience set within an award-winning eco-friendly residential development in the heart of Dubai. The sanctuary is home to a friendly variety of animals including goats, donkeys, ducks, roosters, hens, peacocks, and cats, which roam freely throughout the lush green spaces of the car-free community. Visitors and families can hand-feed the animals, enjoy picnics on the lawns, and let children play in open spaces, all while experiencing an environment that demonstrates how urban living can coexist harmoniously with animal welfare and sustainability. Electric buggies and bicycles are the primary modes of transport within the community, adding to its peaceful, eco-conscious atmosphere. The sanctuary is a charming and educational outing for families seeking a relaxed and nature-connected experience in Dubai.

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wetland reserve located at the mouth of Dubai Creek, approximately 10 kilometers from Downtown Dubai. Established in 1985 and officially declared a protected area in 1998, the sanctuary covers a mosaic of mangroves, mudflats, and shallow lagoons that provide vital habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds. The sanctuary is best known for its spectacular flocks of Greater Flamingos, which gather here in impressive numbers, particularly during the cooler winter months from November to March. In total, over 450 species of fauna have been recorded, including grey herons, great egrets, marsh harriers, spoonbills, ospreys, kingfishers, and numerous wading birds. Entry is free of charge, and bird hides with binoculars are provided, making Ras Al Khor an accessible and rewarding destination for birdwatchers and families in the heart of Dubai.

Wasit Wetland Centre is a protected nature reserve and award-winning conservation facility located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Spanning 86 hectares of sabkha wetland, the centre encompasses salt plains, dunes, mudflats, salty lagoons, and freshwater pools that provide critical habitat for a remarkable diversity of birdlife. Over 200 bird species have been recorded here, including rare visitors such as the Northern Bald Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Marbled Duck, Purple Swamphen, and Pink-backed Pelican, alongside various mammals, reptiles, and insects. Designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2019 and winner of the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the centre features an architecturally striking underground visitor gallery, eight bird hides equipped with binoculars, and guided golf-buggy tours of the reserve. Originally restored from a former garbage dump, Wasit Wetland Centre stands as a testament to environmental restoration and urban biodiversity conservation.