Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, on Friday inaugurated the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The new institution — the largest natural history museum in the Middle East — offers an immersive journey through 13.8 billion years of science and discovery, highlighting the story of life on Earth with a particular focus on the natural history of the Arabian region.
The museum features two global firsts: the simultaneous display of two Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in a dynamic battle scene, and an unprecedented exhibition of five sauropod dinosaurs presented together in the atrium.
Galleries take visitors back millions of years to explore the region’s ancient landscapes, including a recreated savannah environment once inhabited by extinct species such as the four-tusked elephant.
HE Mohamed Khalifa al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said the museum brings “a different perspective to the story of life on Earth, framed for the first time through an Arabian lens,” emphasising the role of culture, learning and scientific understanding in shaping the future.
Opening to the public on November 22, the museum also serves as a centre for research and education, supporting studies in palaeontology, biodiversity, earth sciences and conservation. It aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and environmental responsibility, in line with the UAE’s commitment to sustainability.
The museum will offer year-round public programming, educational workshops and community initiatives, making natural history accessible to visitors of all ages. It joins an expanding lineup of world-class cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
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