DUBAI // While their efforts may not quite be up to Vincent Van Gogh’s standards, a group of otters in Dubai are showing a surprising degree of artistic talent.
As part of a new attraction at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall, the aquatic animals have been taught to grab a brush in their front paws and paint colours on an easel.
The four male Asian small-clawed otters named Cato, Tiny, Bitoy and Diego will be painting live for visitors until December 30.
The Great Otter Art Exhibition will include interactive presentations by aquatic and marine experts.
Visitors will be able to participate by choosing the colours the otters use in their paintings.
There will also be an art corner where children will be encouraged to create their own works, while an onsite gallery will display all of the otters’ paintings and people will have the opportunity to buy them as souvenirs.
Teaching the otters painting skills is not just about creating art, it is also part of their enrichment training, giving them stimulus to cope with being in captivity.
The otters have also been provided a new playground area within the centre.
Maitha Al Dossari, chief operating officer of the mall’s owner, Emaar Retail, said: “Otters are among the favourite species of the underwater zoo’s visitors.
“With their adorable features and playful personality, it’s easy to understand their popularity.
“As they are active, clever and eager to learn, our qualified trainers have taught them new behaviours that they’ve welcomed with enthusiasm.
“We hope our visitors will enjoy getting to know them better and that they will be impressed by their artistic skills.”
But the attraction has not been welcomed by some animal rights campaigners.
“Why not bring these animals to their natural habitat rather than bringing them to our habitat?” asked Montserrat Martin, founder of Friends of Animals Dubai, which was set up six years ago.
The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kilograms.
They live in mangrove swamps and the freshwater wetlands of India, China, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Their paws are a distinctive feature and allow them a high degree of manual dexterity.
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Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
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Manchester United 1
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5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
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8.50pm: Calandogan
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
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435 – UAE
2,000 – China
808 – United Kingdom
165 – Argentina
38 – Lebanon
16 – Saudi Arabia
16 – Bangladesh
6 – Ireland
3 – Egypt
3 – France
2 – Sudan
1 – Kuwait
1 – Australia
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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
