Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi Two striped hyena cubs have been born on Sir Bani Yas Island, part of Abu Dhabi's Desert Islands Destination attractions. The cubs are the result of a breeding programme on the island, located off the UAE coast in the western region.
The births are of particular significance to the UAE as the striped hyena is completely extinct in the wild in the UAE and is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as ‘near threatened' worldwide.
IUCN is the official body which monitors the status of natural resources and wildlife across the world.
Phiri and Arnold, the parents of the cubs, were themselves raised by conservation staff in breeding centres and relocated to Sir Bani Yas Island in 2008 as part of a conservation programme after being taught to be self-sufficient in order to survive in the wild. The hyenas released from the breeding centre roam freely in the 4,100-hectare Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island along with cheetahs and some 4,000 antelopes and gazelles.
To help increases awareness about the plight of the hyenas, Desert Islands is inviting the public to suggest names for the cubs via the island's website, which will also help them learn more about other endangered species on the island through a wildlife blog.
Both hyena cubs are healthy and visitors to the island may soon be able to see them roaming around the Arabian Wildlife Park.
The striped hyena is the second largest hyena species after the spotted hyena and is smaller in stature than the brown hyena.
Hyenas are medium-sized animals with a pointed muzzle, long bushy black-and-white tails, pointed ears and five to nine vertical stripes on the flanks. The clearer black transverse and horizontal stripes are on the legs. Males weigh between 26 and 41 kilogrammes while females weigh between 26 and 40 kilogrammes.
naming
suggestions welcome
To suggest a name for the two hyena cubs, log on to www.desertislands.com
Staff Report
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