Dubai Safari creates prime real estate for variety of birds
▶ A series of diverse habitats have been made that attract local and migratory species to join park’s residents
The transformation of a former landfill dump into Dubai Safari Park has turned Al Warqa into an environment conducive for a variety of bird species to thrive.
The formation of the park last year created a habitat for local and migratory birds in a city where natural habitats are shrinking, according to a study by Dr Mohammed Khan, the principal wildlife specialist at the site.
“At a time when much of the natural habitat in the area of greater Dubai is under pressure, this study provides evidence of the ability of bird species to make use of areas formerly of little ecological value that are developed with a view to creating new habitats,” Dr Khan said.
In the late 1970s, Dubai Municipality used the site as an area for solid waste disposal. Less than 20 years later, waste disposal stopped when the dump covered an area of about 4 square kilometres and had risen to a height of about 30 metres above the surrounding land surface, the state news agency Wam reported.
The landfill remained undisturbed until May 2012, when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, instructed that the site and adjacent areas be handed over to the municipality’s department for the development of Dubai Safari.
It was then that Dr Khan began monitoring the changes to the environment through regular wildlife surveys, in particular birds, as the area was transformed.
His reports were published in the latest edition of the journal
Tribulus, issued by the Emirates Natural History Group.
Dr Khan made monthly visits to the site during the first year of development, although there was little sign of wildlife. Between May 2013 and June 2016, as rehabilitation of the site and construction of the first phase of Dubai Safari got under way, Dr Khan increased his visits to four times a week. From March 2015, he began to make regular visits on foot, carrying out at least two surveys a week until last summer.
Up to 2013, just 12 bird species had been recorded at the Safari Park site, excluding its largely natural eastern side. All these species are commonly found in and near centres of human activity. Of these, green bee-eaters, collared doves, laughing doves, bank mynas and house sparrows bred at the site.
Construction began in May 2014, with the creation of ponds. Planting of ground cover began in March 2015 and plantations were started in 2016. By June last year, most of landscaping, including plantations, were complete.
Between 2015 and the middle of last year, Dr Khan found the number of species recorded had risen to 58. These included species that are resident in the country and migratory birds. A number of new breeding species also made use of the site, benefiting from the presence of vegetation and water.
In his study, Dr Khan wrote that of the species recorded at the Dubai Safari site, 33 are primarily terrestrial species. The rest are wetland or water-loving species, some are passage migrants and others over-wintering. He plans to continue his research to document the ways the new habitat continues to attract more species of wildlife.