Editor’s COMMENT
Welcome to the seventh issue of Arabian Wildlife Magazine whoserelease coincides with the launching of an on-line version, accessible
on the World Wide Web of the Internet at arabianwildlife.com.
In recognition of this development several contributions to this
issue focus on how new innovations in the field of communications
are helping to promote conservation of wildlife.
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