Sharjah 24 – WAM: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center on Yas Island, successfully rehabilitated 10 greater flamingos affected by severe weather in February at the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. The harsh conditions, caused by the Al-Mizr low-pressure system, included heavy rains and large hail that severely impacted the reserve.
Ahmed Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, noted that EAD rangers closely monitored the flamingo population during the storm. Recognizing the injuries from hailstones, EAD quickly mobilized four teams to rescue the affected birds and transport them to the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center for treatment. Seven newly hatched chicks and four eggs were also rescued and cared for.
Al Hashemi described the event as an unprecedented natural phenomenon in the UAE, contributing to the flamingos' injuries and highlighting the impact of climate change on biodiversity. He commended the quick response of EAD and its partners, emphasizing their commitment to wildlife conservation.
Robert Yordi, General Curator at Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center, praised the collaboration with EAD. He noted that despite the challenging conditions, their team worked diligently to ensure the safe return of the flamingos to their natural habitat. Yordi reiterated SeaWorld's long-standing dedication to wildlife rescue and conservation.
The greater flamingos are expected to recover from the storm's impact and continue breeding in the reserve, which recorded 1,270 breeding pairs in the 2023-2024 season. EAD has been monitoring bird species at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve since 2002 and uses advanced tracking to study flamingo migration.
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, established in 1998 as Abu Dhabi’s first protected area, is the only site in the Arabian Peninsula where greater flamingos breed regularly. It hosts over 4,000 flamingos during winter and is recognized globally, having joined the Ramsar List of Wetlands and the IUCN Green List.
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