Abu Dhabi: A new website and a permanent photo exhibition on biodiversity of the UAE is set to surprise visitors that a small country with a desert environment has such a wide variety of plants and animals.
The Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched "Jewels of the UAE" website and photo exhibition in association with the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) and ARKive — the world's leading collection of wildlife films and photographs.
The website (www.arkive.org/uae/en) dedicated to the UAE's rich biodiversity is now live, and a photo exhibition has been set up at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort.
Inspiration
"We hope that this initiative inspires people to help conserve our biodiversity for current and future generations," Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD's secretary general, said at a ceremony in Al Ain on Thursday in the presence of other senior officials.
The website focuses on some of the rare, endangered as well as unique wildlife found in the country including the Hawksbill Turtle, the Dugong and the Greater Flamingo.
The website also contains a broad range of information and facts about the wildlife and habitats, creating a valuable resource and reference tool for anyone interested in the natural heritage of the UAE.
Website visitors can also vote for Bu Tinah Island as one of the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" on www.butinah.ae. The island, which is a core area of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve managed by the EAD, is the only Gulf region contestant in this international competition.
The "Jewels of the UAE" photo exhibition at the Al Ain Wild Life Park will give up to 900,000 park visitors a year the chance to learn about the UAE's biodiversity. A mobile version of this photo exhibition has toured some high profile events in Abu Dhabi.
12 Jewels of the UAE
The "Jewels of the UAE" initiative focuses on 12 iconic species. They are: Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Dugong (Dugong dugon), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), Caracal (Caracal caracal), Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx), Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata), Mountain Gazelle (Gazella gazelle cora), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), Pharaoh Eagle-owl (Bubo ascalaphus), Sand Cat (Felis margarita), Arabian Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) and the Blanford's Fox (Vulpes cana). Shaikh Zayed started the breeding programme of Oryx in Al Ain in 1968.
