THE Al Areen Wildlife Park received two Asian cheetahs from the National Wildlife Research Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia, in September, as well as a three-year-old female Malayan Sun bear, named Honey, who can be found playfully breaking everything in sight.

The veterinarians at the wildlife reserve in Sakhir, which covers a total area of 8sq km, are hoping that the unnamed cheetahs, one female and one male, both over one-year-old, will be able to assist the endangered species through its breeding programme.

Both the cheetahs and the bear are settling into the Wild Animals Complex in the park, where visitors can view the animals through glass enclosures.

Egyptian veterinarian Dr Mohammed Ali Abdul Rahim Saad, 28, said: “Here at Al Areen Wildlife Park we are delighted to be involved in the global efforts to help endangered species.

“This is also a great opportunity for people to see new animals, especially ones that aren’t typically found in Bahrain. They read about them and watch them on TV and now they have the opportunity to see them in real life. It is all very fascinating.

“The Asian cheetahs are facing extinction in the wild because of the development of their natural habitat. We have a male and a female at the moment and we hope to breed them, but they have only been with us since the end of Ramadan so it’s still early days. They are friendly with visitors and are proving to be a big attraction.

“The population of Sun bears has also decreased in recent years as well. Honey looks very small but she’s fully grown and eats just about everything from lizards to insects and fruits. She also breaks everything in sight. She’s very obstructive and strong and has an amazing sense of smell.

“We have electronic fans and air conditioning in her enclosure to ensure she remains comfortable and cool even in the summer.”

The fully-grown cheetahs, around 130cm long, appear to have settled in well into their new environment and tuck into a diet of chicken and quail.

Dr Saad, from Riffa, said: “Now that the weather is a bit cooler we are getting a lot more visitors, so it is the perfect time to be exhibiting these animals.”

The park has a successful pedigree of assisting animal management, particularly in the case of the Arabian Oryx. “Thirty years ago we only had six and at that time they were also a species close to extinction. Now we have more than 100 and although they are still considered ‘endangered’ we have successfully raised them in a large protected reserve where they can roam around freely.”

The wildlife park also boasts an amazing collection of around 100,000 plants and trees alongside more than 500 animals including hyenas, Persian gazelles, springbok, impala, fallow deer and ostriches.

The park has also invested in the animal population by introducing a six-year-old Arabian leopard from Egypt, named Houdini valued at BD20,000 last year, and he is now one of its most popular attractions. And three giraffes costing BD17,000 each are also a big hit with visitors.

The park was established in 1975 and is divided into two sections. The first is open to the public to walk through with donkeys, camels, tortoises, saluki dogs, gazelles, flamingoes and a number of wild birds on display. A popular cafe on site provides refreshments.

A bus takes visitors on a tarmac road to view a variety of Arabian mammals, some roaming free and others in pens. There are also a number of African animals which remain from the initial establishment of the park. Arabian species include scimitar-horned oryx, addax, Arabian oryx, dama gazelle, Nubian ibex, wild goat, barbary sheep and Asiatic onager.

In addition, a new fruit garden is under construction on the site and scheduled to open next year.

Entrance for visitors aged 12 years and over costs BD1 and it is 500 fils for younger children, although those aged three and under gain free entry. It includes a tour, a short video about the wildlife on show and a bus ride through the reserve.

l How to get there: Take Zallaq Highway and pass BahrainUniversity on the left. Follow the signs for the Bahrain International Circuit on Gulf of Bahrain Avenue and past the BIC signs will indicate Al Areen on the left.

Opening hours: Saturday-Thursday from 9am-5pm, Friday 2pm-5pm.

Call 17845480 or email malisaad@pmew.gov.bh