conservationists unite to save uae’s endangered wonder gecko
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Conservationists unite to save UAE’s endangered wonder gecko

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Conservationists unite to save UAE’s endangered wonder gecko

Wonder geckos are active at night and live in areas that are ideal for developments
Abu Dhabi - Arab Today

Humans are taking over the homes of a group of the UAE’s smallest residents, so it’s only fair that they provide them with other lodgings.
The endangered wonder gecko, whose sand dune habitats are slowly being taken over by development, is the focus of the first national conservation project for a reptile, led by experts from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
The colourful species is one of the UAE’s largest geckos, growing up to 15 centimetres. It was once known as the Moonshine gecko because its eyes glow at night.
"The wonder gecko has very specific soil and climate conditions that it needs and unfortunately all of these areas are now under high development," said Pritpal Soorae, of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
The agency has recorded wonder gecko populations in three surveyed areas including one near the Dubai border, which was cut in half by a road.
This year the agency ensured that most of the area, which covers a few square kilometres and has about 30 of the lizards, was fenced off.
It is working with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council to have it formally declared protected. Other geckos living in that area were moved to Al Ain Zoo and are doing well, Mr Soorae said.
The wonder gecko might not be as famous in UAE culture as the houbara bustard or Arabian oryx, but it is part of the country’s biodiversity and should be protected, he said.
Johannes Els, of Sharjah’s Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, agreed: "It is a very difficult thing to explain to people why we should preserve a small gecko.
"Historically, mammals and birds get quite a lot of attention because they are more publicly appealing. Reptiles do not get a lot of attention."
Mr Soorae is continuing the Abu Dhabi surveys with colleagues from Dubai Municipality.
"We have to treat everything equally," he said. "This project shows that we can all work together and that even the small, not-so-charismatic species are also important."
The wonder gecko does not need to drink water to survive, instead collecting moisture from food, and breeds relatively slowly, laying no more than two eggs, and then only once or twice a year.
A genetic study of the species is being carried out with the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona.
The UAE has more biodiversity in reptile species than other groups, making a strong case for better understanding and protecting local reptile species, Mr Els said.
He said losing the wonder gecko to extinction could harm other parts of the ecosystem – a "chain effect" that could damage species that were not yet fully understood.
Sharjah established two protected areas for wonder geckos, including the Misnad area, which provides a square kilometre of fenced-off, pristine habitat for about 60 wonder geckos and animals from 18 other reptile species.
Mr Els and his colleagues in Sharjah have found that wonder geckos also live inland, not just along the coast.
"The next step over the coming five years is to do more in-depth ecological studies and have a look at what these animals particularly require in the wild to survive," he said.
"Once we have a better understanding of all the requirements, it will be easier for us to make better management ­decisions for these animals in the wild."

Source: The National

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

conservationists unite to save uae’s endangered wonder gecko conservationists unite to save uae’s endangered wonder gecko

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

conservationists unite to save uae’s endangered wonder gecko conservationists unite to save uae’s endangered wonder gecko

 



GMT 21:52 2017 Thursday ,19 October

Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians in West Bank

GMT 15:41 2017 Wednesday ,04 October

Putin warns against double standards in war on terror

GMT 23:42 2017 Monday ,18 September

Mattis 'shocked' by low level of US military readiness

GMT 17:36 2017 Saturday ,14 October

What's at stake for business in Iran's nuclear deal

GMT 14:14 2017 Saturday ,11 February

Ghada Adel praises participation with Adel Imam

GMT 21:00 2017 Thursday ,05 October

Scores of settlers storm into Al Aqsa

GMT 11:56 2017 Wednesday ,29 November

Iraqis throng to Picasso in Baghdad

GMT 05:43 2018 Wednesday ,12 September

"Ala" Syria determined to liberate Idleb from terrorism

GMT 19:47 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Sultan Al Qasimi launches Sharjah real estate projects

GMT 10:58 2017 Thursday ,20 April

Kabbara meets Saudi counterpart, IMO chief in Cairo

GMT 00:10 2017 Tuesday ,10 October

Turkey calls for new round of Syria talks in Geneva

GMT 00:29 2017 Tuesday ,24 October

HM King congratulates UN secretary-general

GMT 10:42 2017 Monday ,22 May

Egypt refers 48 IS suspects to military court

GMT 05:18 2017 Thursday ,12 October

Sub-Saharan Africa to grow at a slower rate this year

GMT 03:34 2017 Monday ,18 September

August24th-September23rd

GMT 23:32 2017 Thursday ,27 July

10 fishing boats to be sunk for poaching

GMT 08:09 2017 Tuesday ,25 April

Israeli enemy drone violates Lebanese skies

GMT 12:06 2017 Saturday ,21 January

Weakness in oil and gas dents GE earnings

GMT 17:20 2017 Tuesday ,01 August

Gum disease linked to higher cancer risk in women
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday