15/03/2005 – WWF, together
with local partners, have installed several
bird hides within the United Arab Emirate's
Ras Al Khor wetland reserve to view some of
the country’s diverse bird species.
Named in Arabic after some of the area’s
natural features — gurm (mangrove), fantir
(flamingo) and al buhaira (lagoon) — the three
newly-built bird hides are equipped with telescopes,
binoculars, brochures and picture panels describing
local animal and plants species. Designed
in the form of traditional wind towers, the
hides offer panoramic views of the wetland’s
wildlife, including Greater flamingoes (Phoenicopterus
ruber), which number as high as 2,300 during
the winter season, as well as thousands of
other migratory species such as waders, ducks
and raptors.
“Thousands of birds congregate here in winter,
particularly waders that are attracted by
the rich food supply of the sanctuary’s mudflats,”
said Dr Frederic Launay, Director of the WWF-UAE
Project Office.
In the 2004-05 winter season, as many as
30,000 individuals, representing 88 species
were recorded. According to BirdLife International,
out of the 88 wetland bird species found here,
nine occur in internationally important numbers
(over 1 per cent of world population).
"Ras Al Khor represents, perhaps, the
last wild area left in Dubai, is extremely
valuable for biodiversity conservation. It
also provides an excellent opportunity for
nature education, and is a great place for
visitors to experience what modern Dubai has
to offer in terms of wilderness,” Launay added.
The bird hides are a first step towards development
of more elaborate visitor education facilities
in the protected area.
Notes:
• In 1998, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
(a wetland reserve) was officially declared
a protected area and placed under the management
of Dubai Municipality’s Environment Department
(Marine Environment and Sanctuaries Unit).
• The WWF UAE Project Office collaborated
with Dubai Municipality’s Environment Department
in setting up the bird hide facilities, with
support from the National Bank of Dubai.
