It is officially spring. That means nicer weather, plants blooming and generally a time when we all want to be outside enjoying nature as much as possible.
For many of us as well we associate spring with new life, with many animals giving birth. I always remember the sight of lambs in the field every spring during my childhood in the country. I see it as a vital time of year for the survival of many species. For many endangered species, each breeding season brings a new sense of hope, and new dangers, to try and grow their population to healthy levels.
There are many groups in the UAE fighting to protect endangered species that live in the UAE, and to conserve and protect their habitats.
The EAD (Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi) is constantly working with other parties to protect areas such as the mangroves and Bu Tinah Island that are vital to the global ecosystem. If you visit the mangroves around Abu Dhabi in a kayak you are guaranteed wildlife sightings up close and personal – just metres away from one of the busiest roads in Abu Dhabi!
Bu Tinah Island is home to one of the world’s largest population of Dugongs, a large sea mammal that feeds on sea grass. These animals are incredibly sensitive to changes in their habitat, and very vulnerable. They are a spectacular sight to see.
The Arabian Tahr is another species in the UAE that faces extinction. Whilst breeding programmes have been set up, and monitoring of their numbers is occurring the wild, it is the founding of protected areas such as Wadi Wurrayah in Fujairah that will help to safeguard this amazing species of mountain goat for the future.
The EWS-WWF played a key part in the foundation of this protected area, and it also plays a large role in the continued rehabilitation of turtles throughout the UAE. Every year there are multiple releases of turtles back into the wild. Many are turtles that have previously been caught in fishing nets, or washed up on shore, sick with barnacles attached to their back.
Centres have been set up to care and assist the turtles in regaining their strength before being released. Turtles also require protected areas for breeding as they often like to breed on some of our most popular beaches. TDIC close off sections of Saadiyat beach every year to ensure that the turtle eggs are not disturbed and are able to reach the sea easily.
The UAE has many animals living in the sand, sea and mountains, and many people and groups are working to protect and promote them. Next time you are in the mountains or mangroves, have a look around and see how many of these creatures you can see. Then think about why it is important to preserve them.
By Emma Kirkman
