Meet the Wonderers! The Wonderers have arrived in their new home at the Heart of Wonder

The Arabian Wolf is native to, you guessed it, Arabia. The Arabian wolf was once found living throughout the entire Arabian Peninsula, but has been extinct in the UAE since the 1980s. They are critically endangered in the rest of the region. They live in small groups of 3 or 4 unless food is scarce. Perfectly adapted to the desert climate, they are clever, playful and curious, too.

The Sand Cat is a nocturnal desert native. They are bold hunters and can survive in harsh desert environments without drinking water for weeks at a time. They have dense hair and padding on their paws to protect against the extreme weather conditions of their habitats and can sprint at speeds of 30-40km per hour.

Quokkas were first discovered in the 1600s in Western Australia. Quokkas are a part of the Kangaroo family and are known to be extremely friendly. Another fun fact: Quokkas love meeting new people and taking selfies!

The Peregrine Falcon’s name means ”wanderer” and that’s just what they do – they can fly as many as 15,500 miles a year. Whilst they travel far and wide, they frequently return to the same nesting site every year. With their large eyes, these birds can see anything on the ground from a height of 300 metres. The Peregrine Falcon is known for its speed, which reaches more than 320 km/h, making it the fastest bird in the world and the fastest member of the animal kingdom!

Want to get to know Waleef better?

Waleef, our hero, is from this region and was born in the desert. No one is quite sure how old he is, because the magic of the Staff keeps him young. His mother tongue is Arabic, but he also speaks English, and just enough of other languages to say hello! A hero by nature, Waleef is a relentless adventurer and explorer who cares about others and the planet. Above all, he loves to learn about new cultures and bring his discoveries back to his home in Dubai.

A Waleef fun fact: he enjoys collecting souvenirs from around the world, and dresses in eccentric clothes that he finds on his travels.

Want to get to know Zoya better?

Zoya, is from the region but now identifies as a “catizen” of the world. She has been travelling with Aiyah for many years and now knows everything there is to know about cultures from around the world. Like all cats, Zoya is a little mystical, fiercely independent, and is very quick-witted.

A Zoya fun fact: she can fix anything from a compass to an airship and can run like the wind!

Want to get to know Aiyah better?

Aiyah, the spiritual guide, is from nowhere and everywhere. All-seeing and all-knowing, she leads the group to safety on all their adventures. Although she doesn’t speak, she can communicate through signs and body language but Zoya is the only one who fully understands her. This wise old soul is a visionary who has seen the world and understands things beyond our imagination. She is a protector of nature and healer of the Earth.

An Aiyah fun fact: she can grow large enough to place her metal wings around her friends to shield them from harm.

Want to get to know Ozka better?

Ozka, the fun-seeking Quokka, was born on a small island in Western Australia and how he ended up in the desert is a story for another day! Back in Australia, his entire family are Instagram superstars and he loves a good selfie himself. He plays the cutie, but he is a bit of a bad boy at heart and loves to prank Zoya every chance he gets. He has no interest in material things and lives for fun and food.

An Ozka fun fact: He’s been counting his steps since before it was a thing, plays guitar (badly) and has always dreamed of being a rock star.