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Rare aquatic life often found in UAE waters
A video shared by the Crown Prince of Dubai helped document a pod of rare killer whales near the UAE.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum posted a story on Instagram last week about the sighting of an orca in Dubai.Before that, he had informed his 13.1 million Instagram followers Rare whale spotted in Dubai Harbour.
The Crown Prince of Dubai, known for his love and knowledge of animals, believes the aquatic mammal is a Bryde’s whale.
His sightings helped the Emirates Dolphin Project team document six females, one male and one calf.
Dr Ada Natoli, Assistant Professor, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, and Founder and Director of the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, said: “Thanks to the video shared by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, we now know that this morning (January 14) , Friday) saw a pod of killer whales about 15 miles off the coast of Dubai.
“This is an exciting sight. Killer whales are rare, but they are often seen in UAE waters. It is important for the public to report sightings of whales and dolphins, which can be done through the Emirates Dolphin Project Initiative website (www.uaedolphinproject.org) Instagram, Facebook or email Sighting@uaedolphinproject.org. “
The project is a non-profit initiative dedicated to surveying dolphin populations along the UAE coastline. It will help provide scientific information and support the conservation of these local marine species and the marine environment.
This is the first project to monitor dolphins off the coast of the Arabian Gulf and requires the cooperation of national and international, private and public agencies and organizations.
Explaining more about the project, Kelly Timmins, Director of Conservation, Education and Corporate Social Responsibility at Atlantis Dubai, said: “This year, we are proud to support Dr Ada Natoli and the relaunch of the Dubai Dolphin Survey. The survey Started again in February 2021 and will continue for at least one year.
“The team led by Dr Ada Natoli is investigating the status of the local dolphin population through a ship-based survey, which will allow the collection of occurrence, distribution and photo identification data.”
These data will be used to assess the species’ estimated abundance, population structure and, if possible, population trends.
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“There is very little information on whales and dolphins in Gulf and UAE waters. Gathering evidence on population status will help develop effective conservation measures not only to protect these species, but also to ensure long-term viability or our marine resources,” Timmins added. road.
Rare aquatic organisms are Often found in UAE waters. Abu Dhabi authorities reported whale sightings in October and December last year.
At the time, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) had said the presence of whales indicated the “health and quality” of the country’s waters.
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