Anantara Hotels Resorts & Spas is celebrating the arrival of two newborn reticulated giraffe calves — a male and a female — on Sir Bani Yas Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Sir Bani Yas Island was originally developed as a wildlife reserve to protect Arabia’s endangered species. Today it hosts the Arabian Wildlife Park, a protected habitat for more than 13,000 animals, including the two recent giraffe calves. Both calves belong to the Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), the tallest land mammal, which can reach heights of up to 18 feet. The reticulated giraffe is one of nine recognized subspecies and is easily identified by its large, polygonal spots separated by a network of pale lines; each animal’s pattern is unique, much like a human fingerprint.
Guests staying at any of the three luxury Anantara resorts on Sir Bani Yas Island can see the calves in their natural surroundings via guided experiences. The Nature Walk is available from $40 per person, while a Wildlife Drive starts from $68 per person. These activities provide close but respectful encounters with the island’s wildlife, led by knowledgeable guides who explain the animals’ behaviour and conservation efforts.
Accommodation rates start at $300 per person for the family-friendly Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. For a beachfront villa experience, rates begin at $435 per person for a one-bedroom villa at the intimate Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort. Both properties offer easy access to the island’s wildlife experiences as well as resort amenities and dining options.
The calves are already about five feet tall and have begun standing, walking and foraging alongside the island’s herd. Their arrival brings the total number of reticulated giraffes on Sir Bani Yas to 37, reinforcing the island’s role in regional conservation and species recovery.
Visitors to Sir Bani Yas can expect a combination of luxury hospitality and meaningful wildlife encounters, with opportunities to learn about conservation initiatives while observing animals in a carefully managed natural setting.