The Al Ain Zoo is one of the largest zoological gardens in the Arabian peninsula — over 900 hectares with around 4,000 animals, of which many are native Arabian species. The captive-breeding programme for the Arabian oryx, which was driven extinct in the wild in the 1970s and reintroduced from zoo stock, is one of the great conservation successes of the region and is centred here.
The zoo also has a substantial collection of African big cats, primates, and a small aquarium. It is a long way out from central Buraimi — about 30 minutes by taxi — and works as a half-day trip, especially with children. Open all year; best early or late in the day in summer.