Augmenting the Wetlands Reserves in the UAEby Rohan Kapur | 29-10-2015 21:49 |
|---|
       As the cooler weather approaches the UAE region the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has reopened its Al Wathba Wetland reserve. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is home to the first successful breeding grounds of the Flamingo bird?s population in the Arabian Peninsula. The park was closed in the summer so that the Flamingo may breed. There are over 4,000 Flamingo birds & 254 other species in the park. The visitor intake is a bit restricted so that the disturbance to the birds & animals is minimal. Remote-controlled flying drones are being used to monitor the flamingo population at the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.The 1.2kg drones have a flying speed of about 10-15 metres per second and can reach altitudes of up to 500m. They can stay airborne for 25-30 minutes and can take videos and photographs or wildlife. ?Drones are the future of conservation and conservation is impossible without adequate field data,? said Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, executive director of terrestrial and marine biodiversity for the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). The greater flamingo can be observed all year round in lagoons and mudflats along the coast and Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is home to the first successful breeding grounds of the bird?s population in the Arabian Peninsula. These migratory birds circle through Kazakhstan and Turkey before returning to the Gulf region, recently returned to nest in Abu Dhabi in 2014 after a long absence. Flamingos began building nests at two sites in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, 45 minutes from the capital. Scientists have been preparing the reserve to create ideal breeding conditions since past 2 years. They breed mostly in central Asia, but the scientists have created an environment so conducive to the flamingos that they chose to breed in the UAE for the first time in more than 70 years. Flamingos are the star attractions of this reserve. EAD has undertaken a successful flamingo monitoring and management programme at the reserve – which is open to visitors – that also involves monitoring of water quality and brine shrimp to help ensure a suitable environment. This is a breather in terms of the increasing global warming & environmental degradation all over. The birds & animals will create a natural environment & keep the pollution away. Pics Courtesy: The National |
