Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 146, February 2017, pp. 1-25. | Page 11

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The website also indicates that future plans include building a state-of-the-art
visitor’s centre. On completion, this technologically advanced centre will easily
let visitor’s access information and offer a closer understanding of the
sanctuary’s biological diversity (Robertson, 2013).
Dr. Reza Khan, Specialist, Wildlife and Zoo Management at the Public Parks and
Horticulture Department, Dubai Municipality, says after the stopover in Dubai
some flamingos return to where they came from — Lake Urmia (formerly Lake
Rezaiyeh) in Iran, the Caspian Sea, coastal areas of Iran and central Asia and
increasing numbers from coastal areas and islands off Abu Dhabi.
Hyland adds that regular flamingo visitors to Ras Al Khor included those from
the Gediz Delta of the eastern Mediterranean (Robertson, 2013).

The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) and the Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) at Ras Al
Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai, UAE. Photo by my precious daughter Nora Norman Ali
Khalaf. 13.06.2015. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/19141866606/

Relatively few breeding sites exist worldwide. If flamingoes could be encouraged
to breed in this 620-hectare sanctuary of intertidal mud flats and lagoons fringed
by mangroves, the birds would have an alternative to a major breeding ground
in Iran. Conditions at Lake Urmia are deteriorating rapidly as the lake’s salinity
has increased, mainly due to a water shortage caused by drought and human
overuse (Robertson, 2013).
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 146 – February 2017