REPTILE FACT FILE: DHUB'S DEN
This month’s fact file takes a close look at that elusive Arabian reptile, the Dhub (or Dhab) lizard — a traditional quarry of desert dwelling people — now threatened by habitat loss and over-hunting.
TRAVEL FEATURE: AL MAHA Having explored some of the world’s most exotic game parks, Peter and Michelle Wright visited one much closer to home where they enjoyed the superb comforts and cuisine of Al Maha — the UAE’s answer to Africa’s safari camps! It sounds too good to be true!
ARABIAN DISCOVERY PROGRAMME
Specially designed for use with established school curricula, this series is an excellent Arabian natural history resource for teachers and students alike. In this issue we focus on the fascinating subject of migration.
SAILFISH IN ARABIAN WATERS One of Arabia’s best kept secrets, so far as its wildlife attractions are concerned, is that its waters are visited each year by large numbers of sailfish. Researchers are now tagging these to reveal the full picture
NEW SONGS FROM ARABIAN SEAS
A small-dedicated band of researchers are now delving deep into the subject of Arabia’s whales and dolphins. Robert Baldwin describes a recent expedition to Dhofar and raises the question: - could Arabia’s humpbacks be a unique and discrete population?
WONDERFUL WADERS
Hanne and Jens Eriksen do their best to explain the differences between some of Arabia’s most abundant bird species — the waders.
SPECIAL REPORT:
ILLEGAL TRADE IN WILDLIFE
It is a sad fact that there is also a dark side to wildlife work in this region. The author has been on the receiving end of this, caring for animals that have been confiscated due to illegal trading. The risks to both animals and humans are considerable. By highlighting these risks we hope to bring an end to these practices.
ZOO MISSION TO YEMEN
A veterinary mission to Yemen’s zoos has some unexpected results. Arabian leopards are added to the international studbook; techniques for raising cubs on dog (bitch) milk are revealed; and blood samples taken from lions said to have descended from the original Arabian lion.
MANGROVES: ARABIAN SEA FORESTS
Whilst some Arabian regions have preserved their mangroves, others have completely destroyed them. Two of the peninsula’s most important remaining natural mangrove areas are visited: Khor Kalba in the UAE and Khor Liwa in Oman.
SPIDERS
Ugh! or Ahh! — depending on your particular stance to these enigmatic creatures. But there is really no such thing as a ‘bad’ spider – they all have their uses. It would certainly be a more fly-ridden world without them! But beware of the black-widow!
THE FROZEN ZOO
Techniques of in-vitro fertilisation and subsequent freezing of early dividing embryos, arresting their development until such time that they can be implanted into surrogate mothers, are being pioneered in the UAE to help save certain Arabian species.
