Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 134, February 2016, pp. 1-44.

33 tours along a prescribed trail. Sustainable tourism is beginning to develop and grow in the area, and the 4WD are alternatively being replaced by foot or camel treks. Since part of Wadi El-Hitan was made into a tourist venue, walkways between the main fossils were laid out and small shelters built. This public park is now regularly visited by tourist groups; and a small camp site is present (Wikipedia). The valley is located behind a mountain, known as Garet Gohannam; Gara (Arabic: ‫ )قارة‬means hill or mountain and Garet Gohannam means the mountain of hell. In the light of the setting sun, the mountain seems ablaze with an eerie red light (Wikipedia). The Egyptian government has alleged that in July 2007 a pair of cars driven by Belgian diplomats entered a protected zone in this area, and caused 325,000 dollars’ worth of damage. The Belgium government has said no damage was caused by its diplomats. The issue remains unresolved (Wikipedia). Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-von Jaffa at Wadi El-Hitan (Whales Valley), Al-Fayyum, Western Desert, Egypt. 11.07.2012. Photo by: Ola Mostafa Khalaf. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/15493317742/ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 134 – February 2016

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 134, February 2016, pp. 1-44. | Page 33