Emaar Entertainment is launching a virtual zoo in conjunction with Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and Wevr, a virtual reality studio and content distributor.
Emaar Entertainment is launching a virtual zoo in conjunction with Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and Wevr, a virtual reality studio and content distributor. It will bring endangered species from around the world with a new VR experience.
VRZOO is a new attraction that focuses on awareness and conservation efforts by connecting guests with endangered animals in an immersive platform. Adventurers can explore two different takes on reality, one based on live-action footage, and the other a CGI virtual experience.
The live-action footage explores a 360-degree reality of locations including Uganda, South Africa, Maldives, Egypt, Australia and Mafia Island, where users experience a 3D encounter with some of the worlds most captivating species, all of which are on the brink of extinction. The CGI animation from Wevrs iconic VR experience theBlu: Season 1 directed by Jake Rowell, allows guests to embrace the wonder and majesty of the ocean through a deeply immersive room-scale VR experience. Users will explore multiple underwater habitats and come face-to-face with some of the most awe-inspiring species on the planet. Wevr has customised theBlu for the VRZOO installation at Dubai Aquarium.
Maitha Al Dossari, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Entertainment, said: Emaar Entertainment is committed to providing visitors of all ages with interactive edutainment experiences. VRZOO is the latest addition, designed to broaden the mind and provide deeper connections to the world around us, using informative and interactive platforms. VRZOO demonstrates our commitment to education as we work toward a safe and more informed future for animals and humans alike.
Paul Hamilton, General Manager & Curator, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, said: Educating the public about endangered species is a key priority at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and were glad to be able to reflect that mission in the new VRZOO attraction. As we continue to expand our offering, VRZOO is the next step in diversifying our educational platforms. The experience brings adventurers closer than ever to incredible creatures such as African Elephants and Dugongs, in a safe environment, where they can come face-to-face in a way thats not possible in the wild. VRZOO carries an important message in that all the species showcased could be lost forever in the near future without intervention. It is frightening to think that in our lifetime, some of these species may become extinct and only live on in VR for future generations.”
VRZOO is the latest technological addition to the Emaar Entertainment portfolio, following the introduction of the Discovery Channel Shark Week exhibition at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, which features the worlds first interactive digital shark cage and a 20-metre long aquarium demi-tunnel, where the back wall of the tank is made up of LG LED screens. More recently, 80-metres of transparent LED screening and interactive robot sharks have been introduced making The Dubai Mall home to one of the most tech-savvy aquariums in the world.
A range of items that support the conservation of wildlife and endangered species are currently available at The Discovery Channel Store at The Dubai Mall, giving guests a chance to begin contributing to worthy causes directly following their close-encounter experience.
VRZOO is located near the tunnel of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall.
