This little island off the coast of Abu Dhabi is a nature preserve, animal sanctuary and high end resort. The late and much revered Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who founded the United Arab Emirates, established the reserve in 1977 and brought in thousands of large free roaming animals and millions of trees and plants. We took a jeep ride through the island’s Arabian Wildlife Park and glimpsed gazelles, giraffes, cheetahs, oryx and more.
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| These two male blackbuck face off for control of the territory |
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| These cheetahs have a wide territory to roam, but they are kept away from animals that could be prey |
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| The Moroccan Sheep likes to congregate in groups |
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| The Arabian Oryx are enjoying their feeding area. This endangered species is protected here. |
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| What was once empty desert is a carefully nurtured landscape, irrigated with desalinated water brought in by a pipeline and powered by solar and wind energy. |
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| For visitors who don’t want to do a nature safari or bike or kayak, there is plenty of beach to enjoy. |
J and J Travel 