-EAD Highlights Importance of Conserving Wetlands -
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is successfully continuing to track, via satellite, Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) as it has been doing since 2005.
EAD tracks birds to highlight an important message. The message that it is necessary to conserve wetlands such as Ras Al Khor in Dubai and Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi and indeed the rest of the coastline. These wetlands are very important to the flamingos and to many other birds as they use them to rest and feed.
Sindibad is the first flamingo ever to be captured and fitted with satellite transmitter anywhere in the Arabian Peninsula. It began its second spring migration from Um Al Quwain's Khor Al Beidah on March 9, 2007. It journeyed on a straight 132 km flight across the Gulf to reach the Iranian coast, 50 km east of Banda-e-Lengah and north of Qusm Island. Since it has been tagged, Sindibad has traveled more than 5,000 km (point to point distances) and spent 95 days wintering in the UAE.
EAD hopes that additional data, collected in the coming days, will prove extremely useful to learn more about flamingo movement in and outside the UAE. It may also provide information for understanding bird movement and migration in the context of Bird flu.
According to EAD's records, the birds tracked in 2007 showed similar movement patterns of the birds tracked in 2005. The birds also shared another common characteristic. They used the coastal and inland wetlands to rest and feed. This just reiterated the importance of conserving such wetlands.
So what 'on the ground' action has been taken since EAD began studying and tracking these birds? The area of Bu Al Siaief has been set aside to be declared a marine protected area.
EAD Urges Public to Report Any Sightings of Flamingos
EAD urges the public to cooperate in the protection of these wonderful birds by reporting any sighting of tagged flamingos to EAD's website at www.ead.ae .
The tag looks like a white or yellow plastic ring and the flamingos may be spotted at Khor Al Beidah in Umm Al Quwain or on the Abu Dhabi coast.
-Ends-
More about Flamingos and Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve was declared a protected area upon the orders of the late UAE president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1998. This 5 km area is home to more than 220 species of birds that depend on the wetland either for resting, feeding or breeding. It also provides a safe refuge for many other species of reptiles, small mammals and insects and is an important area for biodiversity conservation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Several hundred flamingos can be seen in Al Wathba, particularly during winter months.
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Environmental Education and Awareness Division
Laila Y. Al-Hassan or Sobhia El Masri
T: +9712 693-4638/637
F: +9712 681-7359
E: lalhasan@ead.ae or selmasri@ead.ae
www.ead.ae
© Press Release 2007
