Whilst one cannot help but admire the advances of the Computer Age, it is not all necessarily good for wildlife. One of the greatest dangers we face is that we confuse the virtual world of cyberspace with our real physical environment. Whilst the fact that scientists can use satellite communications to track migrating houbara bustards is undoubtedly a positive step towards conservation planning, we must also remember that the real world is not on our computer screens, or in our air conditioned offices, but outside, where the natural world is continually battling against the impacts of Man's encroachment.

The beautiful images of nature that are contained in this issue of Arabian Wildlife owe much to modern technology - long focus lenses, modern cameras, film processing, scanning, and even image manipulation using special software. The pictures serve to remind us of the sheer beauty of nature and the wonderful variety of Arabia's natural world. But in order to take many of these pictures the photographers have carefully turned their cameras away from scenes of destruction, pollution and environmental damage. Whilst the images evoke pleasure and sheer delight, we must not forget that our natural world depends upon each and everyone of us to look after it. We must not lose our contact with, or understanding of, the real world of nature. If we do so, generations to come will only be able to learn about our animals and plants through digitally stored pictures, still drifting in cyberspace.

Professor Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada