Spiny -tailed Lizard:

The spiny-tailed lizard, a native of the Middle East is locally known as the ?dhub?. There has been a population decline of over 30 per cent over the past three generations, and this is expected to increase to 50 per cent in the future, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Dangers posed to existence:

1)      Loss of habitat

2)      Chain-linked fencing around farms and other properties

3)       Trampling burrows by four-wheel drives

4)      Trapping for illegal trade

Cause of concern: Often known as ?samakat al sahra? or ?fish of the desert? ,the spiny-tailed lizard is a variation in a species that has lasted for millions of years.

Measures we can take:

1)      Visiting  Abu Dhabi?s Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. This reserve is an  internationally recognised wetland and protected area which gives  visitors  the opportunity to  learn about the local biodiversity.

2)      People are advised to let lizards be undisturbed, so as not to scare them or threaten their survival.

3)      Visits can be made to the Sharjah Desert Park, Sharjah Natural History Museum and Children?s Farm and Arabia Wildlife Centre .

Socotra Cormorant

The Socotra Cormorant is found in islands of the Middle Eastern countries. The breeding population is estimated at 110,000 pairs, and is faced with rapid decline in it?s number .It is also restricted to being found in a total of nine locations, all of them in the Middle East .

Dangers posed to existence:

1)      Displacement due to fast -paced coastal development in islands where breeding takes place .

2)      Human disturbance causes parents to abandon their young ones leaving them vulnerable to predators.

3)      Marine oil spills

Cause of concern:

Research by the Emirates Marine Environment Group states that since the 1960s, 12 of it?s colonies have become extinct. Today, the emirate of Abu Dhabi is home to 6 of the 14 remaining colonies.

Measures we can take:

Visit breeding sites, such as the colonies on the islands of Marawah and Al Yasat in Abu Dhabi, to see the  legally protected Socotra Cormorant  .More details regarding this can be found out from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.

Houbara Bustard:

Dangers posed to existence:

According to birdlife.org some threats to their existence are-

1)      Being used as prey for falcons- it?s biggest threat.

2)      Habitat loss due to tourist activities and development

3)      Overgrazing

4)       Sand extraction

5)      Road development

Cause of concern:

 The houbara bustard is significant to Arabian heritage and culture and is  an important link in the food chain. The Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) website states that falconers hunted the houbara bustard for meat and falconry was a necessary survival skill for the indigenous people for centuries. This would mean that if the houbaras, die out, the art of falconry will go along with it.

Measures taken:

Efforts taken by the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), have ensured that the number of bustards bred and released each year have increased.