Protected Wildlife in Abu Dhabi

MARINE MAMMALS

Sousa plumbea dolphins (Length: 2.8m)

– Prominent melon, hump under the fin is very
prominent.
– Coastal species, rarely observed in waters
>30 metres deep.
– Forms small pods of fewer than 10 individuals,
but have been seen in larger groups in the Arabian Gulf.
– Abu Dhabi boasts the largest population of
Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins in the world.
– Locally known as “Deghs”, these dolphins in Abu Dhabi are subject to threats from abandoned fishing nets and developmental activities.

Other marine mammals on the island

Bottlenose Dolphins, Dugong

MARINE INVERTEBRATES

Ghost Crab

– Gets its name from its pale, sandy colour, which makes it almost
invisible to spot on the sand.
– Are shy creatures and use their sharp vision to identify threats.
– They dig deep burrows for protection from predators and the sun. – Are nocturnal, so consider yourself lucky if you spot them during the day.

Other invertebrates on the island

Metapograpsus messor, Cassiopea andromeda, Cerithidea cingulata,
Digenea simplex, Eurycarcinus orientalis, Macrophthalmus depressus,
Marcia marmorata, Portunus pelagicus, Potamides conicus,Scopimera crabricauda

EPIBENTHIC SPECIES

What are epibenthic species? Epibenthic organisms are those that live just above or on the surface of the seabed, such as sea snails, scallops, sponges, clams and oysters. These creatures feed on organisms within or on the sediment of the sea floor.

Species in and around Saadiyat Island include:

– Hexaplex kuesterianus
– Chlamys livida
– Haliclona
– Parviperna nucleus
– Pinctada radiata: Gulf pearl oyster
– Pinna muricata
– Serpulorbis variabilis
– Spondylus marisrubri

CORALS

– They show extraordinary resilience in the Arabian
Gulf as they are able to withstand high seawater
temperatures and in general only bleach at around
36-35 ˚C.

SAADIYAT ISLAND MANGROVES

– Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island is one of 13 important
mangrove sites in the UAE.
– This extraordinary ecosystem supports a plethora of associated species, in addition to their role in coastal protection and carbon sequestration.
– Covering more than 150 sqm of the UAE’s coastline, these woody plants are a focal point of the country’s natural landscape and one of Abu Dhabi’s nature highlights.

Seagrass

– Seagrass beds are home to as many as 600 species
of marine life in the UAE.
– They provide important nursery ground for fish.
– Stabilise marine sediments.
– Play an important role in the fight against
climate change.

REPTILES

Hawksbill Turtle (Length : 80cm)
– Listed as Critically Endangered (IUCN).
– Pointed beak, overlapping scales on the carapace
and green or brown in colour with random streaks.
– Dominant in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.
– Hawksbill Turtle Nesting Season in the UAE: March-June.
– Have an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years. A
female Hawksbill can lay 100 to 150 eggs during
the nesting season.

Other reptiles on the Island

Green Turtles, Sea Snake

LAND MAMMALS

Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica)

– These graceful mammals inhabit desert regions
across the Arabian Peninsula. Note how this
nomadic species travel in groups of 20-15 individuals, consisting mostly of females and young, with one male present.
– The Arabian sand gazelle, locally known as Al Dhabi, is one of many desert species protected as part of the UAE’s wildlife conservation efforts.
– As conservation efforts continue, Arabian sand gazelles are still listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, with hunting, habitat loss and illegal live capture as the top causes of their population decline.
– Depending on their habitat, they mostly eat leaves, grass, and herbs.

INSECTS

Painted Tiger, Lime Swallowtail, Orthetrum sabina, Pantala flavescens, Plain Tiger, Sea Skater

BIRDS

Pied Kingfisher

– Breeds Africa to India but rare winter visitor
to UAE.
– Noisy and obvious, often hovers over water.

Other birds on the Island

Socotra Cormorant, Red wattled Lapwing, Hume›s Warbler, Great Cormorant, Palla’s Gull, Greater White-fronted Goose, American Pipit, Western Reef-Heron, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Slender-billed
Gull, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper,