I am glad to share with all of you that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated a wildlife conservation centre this week on Sunday .

The wildlife centre, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre, is based in Kalba City. Sharjah's one of the leading projects, the wild animal park is maintained by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA)that seeks to protect UAE's endangered animals.

Al Hefaiyah Conservation Centre specialises in habitat preservation and restoration, education, rehabilitation, and captive breeding and research.  It is home to 30 endangered local species.

 

It will be a good opportunity for us to visit and view endangered animals native to the UAE's mountain ranges at the new Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre.

The centre, located at the base of the sea-facing side of the Hajar mountain range, was opened on Sunday .

Around 30 species such as the Arabian leopard, tahr, wolf, and caracal can be found at the centre, which offers unrestricted views into their fenced areas from outdoor "Viewing Hides" and indoor glassed walkways.

Many of the animals at the reserve are nearly extinct but once used to freely roam the very mountains where the sanctuary had been set up. Overgrazing by camels and goats and disturbances on account of human activity gradually led to a marked decline in the numbers of the local species in the mountains over time.

The project to return the local species to their natural habitat is led by the EPAA. An area of around 12 square kilometres, which includes the wildlife reserve, has been declared as a protected area and was fenced off around three years ago.

The centre will also educate visitors about the diversity and importance of the wildlife and the local ecosystem, besides serving as a tourist attraction.

Nobody, not even many local people today, know that UAE once had the Arabian leopard, wolf, hyena, owl and other wildlife living right here in the Hajar mountains. They don't exist here now, they are all gone.  This project will enable people to see them again.

The animals were selected and brought in from the Sharjah breeding centre. Each species is separated by tall fences, but is otherwise free to roam within its area. All the animals are fed and cared for by experts at the centre.

Inside the centre, there is also an exhibit of nocturnal wildlife, including some fish species, scorpions, snakes and reptiles. The centre specialises in habitat preservation and restoration, education, rehabilitation, and captive breeding and research.

On the sidelines of the nature reserve's opening, guests also had the opportunity to visit the centre's art gallery that portrays the lives of the endangered mountain animals through different mediums.

With this latest initiative, Sharjah's enlightened leadership aims to protect the UAE animals, which are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. 

I am sure that this centre will become a popular destination for people who want to enjoy and learn more about these majestic animals and the UAE's rich biodiversity.

The opening of the centre reflects Sharjah's and the EPAA's commitment to protecting wildlife in the UAE that are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and encouraging them to breed.

Indeed, the new wildlife conservation centre is a testimonial to Sharjah's commitment to protecting wildlife for a healthy planet.

Sources :

The Gulf Today

Gulf News