Dubai: Around 280 researchers and scientists are working on various conservation projects in Wadi Wurayah National Park around the year, but having a continuous supply of volunteers is key to sustaining the efforts, says a senior researcher from Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS-WWF).
“The research programme will mean there is a new batch of volunteers every week and we will have a continuous flow of additional pairs of hands for our conservation efforts. The programme will also definitely help the volunteers who will take back with them a wealth of first-hand knowledge,” said Jacky Judas, research manager at WWNP.
Judas has made the nature reserve his second home and believes there is more to the wadi than what has already been discovered.
“WWNP is buzzing with life and I believe we haven’t yet discovered all. The water is of great quality and runs throughout the year, which attracts life of all forms. From dragonflies and toads to reptiles, Arabian tahr and big cats, the ecosystem here is really unique. We are trying to discover the various species as well as find out their numbers through various techniques like tagging, camera trap as well as aerial trips,” added Judas.
He believes the water research programme will not only help the volunteers learn about water resources but also provide them first-hand knowledge of the life forms it supports.
The volunteers agree. “Through this programme I expect to learn more about the importance of freshwater resources by conducting field research with the rest of the volunteers. The key purpose of the Water Research and Learning Programme is to inspire both local and regional communities to preserve freshwater resources and their ecosystems for current and future use and it’s for that reason that I’m very excited and thrilled to be part of this volunteer programme,” said Ameerah Deebbak.
Marwa, another volunteer, added: “Being part of this volunteer programme is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the importance of freshwater. The ultimate goal of participating in the research is to conduct relevant freshwater ecological research as well as encourage the wise use of water resources.”