Dubai & Abu Dhabi 7 - Full PDF eBook

The Handbook of

Arabian

Medicinal Plants

and Vegetation

of the Arabian

Peninsula, both

by Sa Ghazanfar,

are good illus-

trated guides to

their subject.

the dazzle of a desert hyacinth emerging in all its glory after the rains.
It has bright-yellow and deep-red dappled flowers.
Decorating the flat plains that stretch away from the foothills of the
Hajar Mountains, near Hatta, are different species of flat-topped aca-
cia trees. The ghaf also grows in this area; this big tree looks a little
like a weeping willow and is incredibly hardy, as its roots stretch down
for about 30m, allowing it to tap into deep water reserves. The tree is
highly respected in the Arab world, as it provides great shade and food
for goats and camels; it’s also a good indicator that there’s water in the
vicinity.

WilDlifE

Mammals & Reptiles

As in any major city, you don’t see much wildlife. On the fringes of
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the urban sprawl gives way to the desert,
you may see a desert fox, sand cat or falcon if you are very lucky. Other-
wise, the only animals you are likely to encounter are camels and
goats. The desert is also home to various reptile species, including the
desert monitor lizard (up to 1m long), the sand skink, the spiny-tailed
agama and several species of gecko. The only poisonous snakes are
vipers, such as the sawscaled viper, which can be recognised by its
distinctive triangular head. There are even two remarkably adapted
species of toad, which hibernate for years between floods, burrowed
deep in wadis.
Urbanisation, combined with zealous hunting, has brought about the
virtual extinction of some species. These include the houbara bustard,
the striped hyena and the caracal (a cat that resembles a lynx). The
Arabian oryx (also called the white oryx), however, is one success story.
As part of a program of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (p127),
it has been successfully reintroduced. The Al-Ain Wildlife Park (p129),
which is being expanded into a wildlife park with a heavy focus on
sustainability, also has a successful breeding program.

Bird Life
The city is a hotspot for birdwatchers; because of the spread of irriga-
tion and greenery, the number and variety of birds are growing. Dubai
is on the migration path between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more
than 320 migratory species pass through in spring and autumn, or

local enVironMenTal orGanisaTions

dubai Turtle rehabilitation project (www.facebook.com/turtle.rehabilitation)

Located, somewhat strangely, in the basement of the Burj al-Arab, this sanctuary

looks after hundreds of sick turtles every year�

emirates diving association (%393 9390; http://www.emiratesdiving.com) This association

is an active participant in local environmental campaigns, with an emphasis on the

marine environment�

emirates environmental Group (%344 8622; http://www.eeg-uae.org) This non-profit group

organises educational programs in schools and businesses as well as community

programs, such as clean-up drives�

emirates Wildlife society (http://uae.panda.org) Works in association with the World

Wildlife Fund on implementing conservation initiatives to protect local biodiversity

and promote sustainable lifestyles�

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