The Ecology Field Studies students of Fujairah Men’s College this week paid a visit to the World Heritage Site of Al Ain.
The students’ objective was to learn about the breeding and conservation efforts of the UAE government.
With the new road to Fujairah open since last December, Al Ain is a short journey across the Hajar Mountains. Although it was 47C temperature when they arrived, they boarded the zebra-striped zoo train and were guided around the various enclosures.
A highlight of the trip for both male and female students was the visit to the Reptile House where they handled the snakes and saw the large iguanas. They also got up close with the giraffes at feeding time.
Concepts such as commensalism, mutualism, predation and keystone species are complex issues to grasp in the classroom. In the field they are more easily understood and accepted. The two White Tigers, Sugar and Spice, a present from H.H. Sheikha Latifa Bint Rashid Bin Khalifa Saeed Al Maktoum caused some to step back slightly when they raised sleepy heads to yawn.
After the guided tour, FMC students had a lecture specifically designed by the zoos educational department to fit with their studies; Endangered species and why it is important to help protect them.
Pictures and videos always tell a fantastic story and FMC students will be presenting this as one of their adventures at the forthcoming Environment Conference at Fujairah Women’s College.
