Sir Bani Yas, the largest natural island of the United Arab Emirates, is located 170km west of Abu Dhabi. With much of the island being devoted to conservation and ecological investment, this island has become a popular tourist attraction over the past decade, as it is home to thriving wildlife eco-systems, and free-roaming herds of many exotic and endangered animals. One of the most recommendable hotels in Sir Bani Yas Island to stay is the luxury Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi.
While there are many attractions on the island of Sir Bani Yas, the island’s main attraction is its wildlife. Although the island was not always such a thriving eco-system, dedicated conservation efforts have ensured that Sir Bani Yas is now one of the most flourishing wildlife reserves in the United Arab Emirates. With over 13,000 animals of several hundred species, the wildlife experience at Sir Bani Yas is truly remarkable.
Today, the bulk of the wildlife is settled in the 1400 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park. The park is home to some of the most unique creatures known to man. Apart from common animals such as zebras, giraffes, deer and sea turtles, the park is home to Arabian oryxes, Somali ostriches, Sand gazelles, Desert lynx, Mountain gazelles, Sudan cheetahs, striped hyenas, Barbary sheep, and Urial sheep. The beauty of the wildlife at Sir Bani Yas is that there are vast open spaces for the flocks and herds of these animals to freely roam the island, thus giving visitors an authentic wildlife experience. One of the major highlights of the wildlife at Sir Bani Yas is the Arabian oryx. The Arabian oryx was at one point considered to be extinct in the wild, but thanks to conservation efforts, Sir Bani Yas is home to the biggest herd of Arabian oryxes in the wild today. With species you are hardly likely to see anywhere else and beautiful open spaces to observe the animals, make sure you check out the Sir Bani Yas wildlife.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
