ABU DHABI // The Greater Flamingo is the most abundant waterbird species in the nation, according to a new study, the country's first contribution to a global census of waterbirds in more than a decade.
More than 15,000 flamingos were recorded at 15 sites during the research undertaken by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD).
The International Waterbird Census is taken annually and focuses on nearly 150 species, 82 of which were spotted in the UAE during the census. Collecting data from multiple countries is key, since many birds are migratory and can travel thousands of kilometres between their breeding grounds and wintering areas.
The UAE is one such vital route for migratory birds.
"Until 1999, the UAE was participating actively in this," said Dr Salim Javed, the deputy manager of bird conservation at EAD and co-ordinator for the survey in the UAE.
After an 11-year absence, the country is rejoining the effort, he said, sending in survey results carried out at 40 sites. Conducting during a two-day period in January, the survey was done by 14 scientists who recorded more than 53,000 birds.
Some of the surveyed areas include Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, the Bu Al Syayeef area in Abu Dhabi, Khor Kalba in Sharjah and Ras al Khor in Dubai. The largest number of birds, ranging from 9,000 to 13,000, was recorded at Umm al Qaiwain's Khor al Beidha, an area under pressure from development.
However, said Dr Javed, until data is collected over time, the figures will be hard to interpret.
"You need to have long-term data in order to determine trends," he said.
He added that as the data is accumulated year over year, it will allow scientists to identify what is happening with populations of rare birds.
"This census is a tool to help us conserve our wetlands and protect our waterbirds," said Dr Javed. "When undertaken regularly, this census can help us better understand trends in the numbers of birds and also assess the status of sites on which they depend,"
Internationally, the census has informed decisions to set aside nearly half of the 1,369 wetlands of international importance recognised by the Ramsar Convention, the most important global treaty on waterbirds.
EAD collaborated with Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund for Nature, the Emirates Bird Record Committee and Fujairah Municipality.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
No.6 Collaborations Project
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.