On Friday we planned to go to the Dubai Zoo. Upon searching for it's website, Joe came across several articles protesting the zoo's cramped conditions. Apparently, PETA was here in Dubai for their first Middle Eastern protest this July! According to numerous articles, the animals live on concrete in small cages, and more than 80% are animals brought in by smugglers and confiscated by customs. We thought it would be a sad sight, so we decided to look elsewhere. Fortunately, the city of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi has a wonderful zoo! Colin was impressed. 
This is the entrance to the Al Ain Zoo. Al Ain is a little over an hour's drive through the desert from Dubai. It costs 15 dirhams per person to enter, and Colin was free.
The Al Ain Zoo collaborates with the San Diego Zoo, which may explain why it's such a great place.
Guess what the first exhibit is...flamingos of course! Colin loved watching them in the water. He was pretty mad when we rolled him away in the stoller. Little did he know that the monkeys were just around the corner. 
Oh, but first, we saw MEERKATS! There were 2 playing in this window and Colin just giggled and giggled. I didn't see any primetime drama like on Meerkat Manor, but I guess the zoo makes life a little more stable. 
This monkey appeared to have fallen asleep suddenly while trying to lie down. His limbs were stuck out like rigor mortis. Don't worry, though. He's definitely alive.
Humongous ostrich. Colin got a laugh out of this one, too. She was pecking at the gate incessantly.
One view of the African Safari exhibit with giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. No elephants at this zoo, though. It's a very scenic zoo with the mountains in the background. 
A little chinchilla in the noctural animal house.
The White Sambona Lions are the most popular exhibit at this zoo. This one was snoozing, so I couldn't get a good picture.
It was hotter than I expected, so we had to break out the sunscreen.
This is the entrance to the Al Ain Zoo. Al Ain is a little over an hour's drive through the desert from Dubai. It costs 15 dirhams per person to enter, and Colin was free. The Al Ain Zoo collaborates with the San Diego Zoo, which may explain why it's such a great place.Guess what the first exhibit is...flamingos of course! Colin loved watching them in the water. He was pretty mad when we rolled him away in the stoller. Little did he know that the monkeys were just around the corner. Oh, but first, we saw MEERKATS! There were 2 playing in this window and Colin just giggled and giggled. I didn't see any primetime drama like on Meerkat Manor, but I guess the zoo makes life a little more stable. This monkey appeared to have fallen asleep suddenly while trying to lie down. His limbs were stuck out like rigor mortis. Don't worry, though. He's definitely alive.Humongous ostrich. Colin got a laugh out of this one, too. She was pecking at the gate incessantly.One view of the African Safari exhibit with giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. No elephants at this zoo, though. It's a very scenic zoo with the mountains in the background. A little chinchilla in the noctural animal house.The White Sambona Lions are the most popular exhibit at this zoo. This one was snoozing, so I couldn't get a good picture.The expression on this monkey's face cracks me up....
It was hotter than I expected, so we had to break out the sunscreen.Fortunately, they have these super awesome cool mist lines all throughout the zoo. They turn on automatically and really help you cool down!
We hit the "food court" on the way out: KFC, Hardee's, Pizza Hut, or Krispy Kreme (not pictured).
We hit the "food court" on the way out: KFC, Hardee's, Pizza Hut, or Krispy Kreme (not pictured).
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