Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 146, February 2017, pp. 1-25. | Page 4

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Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa and his precious daughter Nora Norman Ali
Khalaf observing the birds at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai, UAE. 13.06.2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/18474305243/

Opportunities for experiencing a natural environment in this rapidly building-up
emirate are so limited that the opening of Ras Al Khor to visitors is a boon to
present and potential nature lovers (Wikipedia).
Presently there are two birding hides located on the perimeter of the sanctuary
open to the public. Entrance is free and operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday to Thursday.
Ras Al Khor is also home to about 500 Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus),
which has become something of a mascot for Dubai's Wild Life protection
program (Wikipedia).

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus Pallas, 1811)
The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread species of
the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia (Bangladesh and
coastal regions of Pakistan and India), and Palestine, and southern Europe
(including Spain, Albania, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy and the
Camargue region of France). Some populations are short distance migrants, and
sightings north of the breeding range are relatively frequent; however, given the
species' popularity in captivity, whether or not these are truly wild individuals is
a matter of some debate. A single bird was seen on North Keeling Island (Cocos
(Keeling) Islands) in 1988 (Wikipedia).
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 146 – February 2017