Al Ain Zoo is committed to diversifying the plant-based dietary needs of its animals through its internal production, which exceeds 200 tons annually. It provides a variety of food plants for the animals, including both local and non-local species such as sider , Ghaf, and hybiscus, among others.
The nursery at Al Ain Zoo has become a significant resource for supporting and enhancing plant diversity over the years. Its efforts and achievements have played a vital role in nature conservation and wildlife protection through various projects. Notable among these are the protection, propagation, and utilization of local plants in different projects, as well as knowledge sharing with external institutions and partners.
On the food front, the nursery works on providing some preferred plants for certain animals, which is currently approximately 211 tons per annum, meeting the targeted animals' nutritional, behavioral, and environmental needs for a proper diet. This is determined by the dietary system review and assessment of the animals' physiological stages, followed by the formulation of a feeding schedule and food
presentation.
Food plants are selected based on the needs and nature of each animal and while they do not include all carnivores, primates, and reptiles, hoofed animals, which primarily require this type of food, such as green and dry grasses and hay, now enjoy a locally produced source of nutritional and behavioral enrichment.
Al Ain Zoo is working on improving and developing its facilities using preferred plant species in various areas, including animal enclosures and the surrounding areas, especially around Al Ain Safari. The Zoo’s nursery continues to enhance and diversify the plant-based diet requirements and incorporate them into propagation plans, while also researching other plant species to increase the dietary variety for the animals in its care.