Arabian Eagle Owl discovered in UAE
Previously unsighted species found in Hajar Mountains in Eastern Region
The Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wide Fund (EWSWWF) recently discovered the Arabian Eagle Owl, a previously unsighted owl species in the UAE, the society said yesterday. The bird is currently inhabiting the Hajar Mountains in the Eastern Region.
The new species was discovered during an owl survey conducted by Anthony Stoquert, a scientist from EWS-WWF’s Terrestrial Conservation Programme with the support of Sami Majeed, a Wadi Wurayah National Park ranger from Fujairah Municipality.
Jacky Judas, manager and scientific adviser, Terrestrial Biodiversity, EWS-WWF, said: “In spite of a hot and arid climate, a wide variety of resilient and fascinating species thrive in our deserts and mountain areas — not only species resident in the Arabian Peninsula, but also wintering or migrant species on their way between Asia and Africa.
“The rapid pace of development is a threat to many of these creatures. Thus, it is crucial that we ramp up collective efforts to protect and safeguard key habitats and endangered species.”
In 2015, the discovery of a single Omani owl in Wadi Wurayah National Park inspired EWS-WWF to organise
a more comprehensive owl survey in the Hajar Mountains of the UAE and Oman.
The project was funded by the Mohammad Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund.
The goal of this research is to contribute to the creation of a network of protected areas, focusing on biodiversity hotspots, which are areas with the greatest number of species, or that shelter endangered species.