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Residents have previously reported sightings of exotic animals in the UAE, including Arabian red foxes on Reem Island and gazelles on Saadiyat Island in 2022, as well as killer whales and whale sharks in Abu Dhabi waters in the past. Additionally, avid bird watchers regularly report sightings of rare species on a dedicated website.
A key feature — citizen science — allows registered users to submit photos or videos of any species found in the wild. A team of EAD experts will review each submission using the submitted exat GPS details and add any new species or habitats to the database.
Combining video, audio, images and information, the database includes a brief description of each species, along with their size, colour, habitat, taxonomy and sightings in the emirate. There is information on protected areas and ecotourism attractions in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, users can see various species in Abu Dhabi using EAD’s previous sighting records.
A special feature allows users to ask experts about the environment, and EAD professionals provide responses.
“The launch of Abu Dhabi Nature is an important milestone in EAD’s efforts to raise environmental awareness and educate the public about the emirate’s diverse species. Now, anyone with a smartphone can contribute to species conservation and documentation efforts in Abu Dhabi. The The platform also provides a great way to educate children and teens about the nature around us and encourage them to love the environment at a young age,” said Ahmed Baharoon, executive director of environmental information, science and outreach management at EAD.
“Through our ‘public forum’ feature, the app will also be an important tool for us to connect with the community and share our wealth of environmental knowledge,” he added.
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