Thursday, May 17, 2007

Sharjah Zoo

Visited Sharjah's "Breeding Center for Endangered Arabian Wildlife". Although a research center, and sactuary for Arabian wild life, its more of a modern day zoo too! The enclosures are superbly designed. Non of the sad, claustrophobic feeling you get when you see animals trapped and caged in other Zoos. I've been to Dubai and Mumbai Zoos. Believe me they are the worst. I'm really glad the Mumbai one is closed for Renovation. Hope they do something sensible with it this time.

In Sharjah Zoo, which has a animal farm for children and a musuem too, the the Aviary and Carnivor sections are specially well designed. Aviary is walk through with birds flying all around you. The Carnivor section has you inside an enclosure with animals out in open. Although the variety of animals is limited, its still a good place to have an outing with family. Our friends Adnan & Fatema, accompanied us with their daughter Mariya who's just a month and a half younger than Naqiyah. Naqiyah & Mariya surely had a great time, although at times Mariya seemed more interested in Tura rum pam pam's songs, rather than animals :)

Also was fun to watch the two kids bonding and getting to know their way around each other. Completely different personalities both.. its amazing how at such young age, they both seem to be so unique and well defined in their behaviour. Naqiyah is a shy child who opens up only around people she knows very well. She's specially aware of presence of any strangers and will immediately mind even me, or Umaima talking to others. Mariya simply couldn't care less about whos, doing what. She's happy enough in her own world!

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