Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation

Introduction

Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, located in the heart of Qatar is Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani's private breeding centre for highly endangered animals and not open to the public. Since January 2000, he introduced a completely new management team. Now we are keeping more than 2,000 animals (about 500 birds; 1,500 mammals) of 100 different species. An international team of veterinarians, curators, biologists and keepers (42 staff) runs the preservation. The first steps have been taken to join international breeding programs and the first animals have been exchanged to other international facilities.

History

Al Wabra was founded by Sheikh Saoud's father, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani almost 30 years ago. He handed the facility later on to his elder sons Sheikh Hassan and Sheikh Khalid Al Thani. They were the first, who carried out expeditions to Eastern Africa catching different gazelles and antel Six years ago, the current owner, Sheikh Saoud Al Thani, the youngest son, took over and from this time onwards things have changed. He started not only to improve; he also built up new, bigger and better arranged enclosures for his animals. These improvements are still in progress. Five years ago, he employed the first Europeans to organise the animal care. Since August 2000 an international team of 2 veterinarians, 2 curators, 2 biologists and 35 animal keepers run this place (the number is steadily increasing).