Assisted breeding at Emirates Park Zoo brings hope for endangered animals - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum - A baby hippo named Kibbo, a giraffe called Eid and two little mandrill monkeys, George and Georgina, are among the recent arrivals at Emirates Park Zoo & Resort, born thanks to the zoo’s ongoing conservation work.
Many of the animals are born in the natural way, but the team also uses assisted reproductive methods when needed - things like artificial insemination, IVF and biobanking, where biological samples are stored to protect genetic material for the future.
“These efforts make the zoo like a modern Noah’s Ark for species at risk,” said Dr Walid Shaaban, the zoo’s CEO and a vet. He stressed the need for careful planning: “Without a proper plan, any conservation breeding programme will take longer and need more effort.”
That planning means choosing the right approach for each animal - natural breeding when possible, and medical help when populations are tiny or animals have health or reproductive problems. “We first examine the animal for reproductive soundness and genetic suitability,” Dr Shaaban explained. Then the team decides whether natural mating, artificial insemination, IVF or using stored samples is best.
Some techniques work better for some species than others, and in some cases they use contraception instead - for example when pregnancy would be dangerous because of uterine conditions or other health risks.
The zoo also looks at pedigrees and uses genetic mapping to understand diversity and avoid inbreeding, collaborating with universities in the UAE to make sure the genetic pool is healthy. When a pregnancy happens, the animal gets a specialised diet and constant care until delivery. Newborns and mothers are monitored so the baby can nurse naturally and bond with its mother, often away from visitors for a while to support that connection.
Around the world, similar assisted reproduction efforts have helped species recover - from rhino IVF projects to artificial insemination in pandas and the recovery of the black‑footed ferret after it was declared extinct in the wild. “Every birth here is a sign of hope,” Dr Shaaban said. “These babies are more than just cute - they show how science can protect species and give new generations a chance.”
May Allah bless these efforts and make them successful for the well‑being of the animals and the protection of His creation.
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