More wildlife refuges are needed to preserve a rare gecko that has suffered a “drastic” fall in numbers in the UAE, researchers have said.
The wonder gecko – which is also found in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan – has suffered because human activity has left populations fragmented.
In a study about the reptile's distribution around the country, the researchers said new protected areas should be set aside or existing ones expanded to help increase numbers.
The wonder gecko, Teratoscincus keyserlingii, is now "critically endangered" in the UAE, the only country in the Arabian Peninsula where it is found.
Massive development in the coastal areas...have exterminated many localities where T. keyserlingii had been previously reported
The Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund gave $12,000 to support the research, which has been published in the scientific journal PLOS One.
"The drastic population decline of the wonder gecko in the UAE provides particular evidence for strong anthropogenic pressures," the study said.
An author of the study, Prof Salvador Carranza, director of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, said "several decades of habitat destruction and fragmentation" have affected the Arabian population.
"Massive development in the coastal areas of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras al Khaimah have exterminated many localities where T. keyserlingii had been previously reported and has artificially fragmented its distribution range," he said.
In the UAE, the species is mostly found within 40 kilometres of the Arabian Gulf coast, on sandy areas with some vegetation.
The UAE's 42 protected areas cover about one-sixth of the country, but the wonder gecko is found in just three – Jebel Ali and Al Marmoun Desert in Dubai and Misanad in Sharjah.
Mr Carranza said protected areas containing the wonder gecko were typically small, had little overlap with the species' overall distribution in the UAE and were near developing areas or too scattered.
In their paper, the researchers said that it would be "achievable" for protected areas to be expanded to safeguard the species locally.
They're quite a territorial species and the males can kill each other if they venture into each other's territory
They suggested the Al Marmoun Desert reserve could be expanded northwards, or new protected areas created, such as in an area in northern Abu Dhabi emirate, west of the reserve.
The researchers described protected zones as being "of critical importance" to the preservation of wild populations.
There is captive breeding of the species at centres in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, but the research said these "must not become an excuse" for failing to preserve natural habitats.
The research included analysis of records of its distribution over time and involved taking small tissue samples from 26 wonder geckos in the UAE.
These and other samples were analysed to help understand the population structure and evolutionary history of the species locally – information that could help in its conservation.
Although critically endangered in the UAE, the wonder gecko is less threatened in other countries where it is found.
The research has been published just months after wonder geckos were relocated to the Misanad reserve before Etihad Rail began building on adjacent land in Sharjah.
In September and October last year, animals were collected by hand during nightly searches and taken, sometimes only a few hundred metres, into reserve areas without existing burrows.
"They're quite a territorial species and the males can kill each other if they venture into each other's territory," said Adrian Hudson, Middle East principal ecologist at the Anthesis consultancy.
Anthesis designed the Etihad Rail-funded relocation and carried out the operation with Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority.
Eight wonder geckos were relocated, but Mr Hudson said the ultimate number saved would be greater.
"Some people might say it's only eight wonder geckos you're saving from being squashed by machines, but … you're conserving their offspring as well," he said.
A 1.3km gecko-proof fence was put up to stop the creatures from returning to their former home, and microchips attached to the animals so that, should a dead one be found, it could be identified.
About 350 individuals of other species, mostly more common types of gecko, were also translocated, although the main focus was on the wonder gecko.
The relocation work was not linked to the recent study, but Mr Hudson said such analyses were useful.
“The study helps with future projects when we have to do environmental impact assessments or environmental management plans. We can look at areas to see if they’ve been found there in the past,” he said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
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Transmission: Seven-speed auto
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD
The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns
Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev
Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy
United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
Singles match
Triple H v John Cena
To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan and Lasith Embuldeniya.
Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DUBAI WORLD CUP RACE CARD
6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
8.15pm Dubai Sprint Listed Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Well Of Wisdom
7.05pm Summrghand
7.40pm Laser Show
8.15pm Angel Alexander
8.50pm Benbatl
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10pm: Beyond Reason
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Rating: 4/5
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2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
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Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
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Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
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Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
