Ras Al Khor

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary(Arabic: رَأْس ٱلْخَوْر‎, romanized: Raʾs Al-Khawr) is a wetland reserve in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, renowned for attracting migratory birds in large numbers. The wetlands have large numbers of birds, crustaceans, small mammals and fish.[2]

Not to be confused with Al Ras, also in Dubai
Ras Al Khor
رَأْس ٱلْخَوْر
One of the three hides at the Ras Al Khor Bird Sanctuary
LocationDubai
Nearest cityRas Al Khor Industrial Area, Nad Al Hammar, Umm Ramool, Al Garhoud
Coordinates25.193°N 55.323°E / 25.193; 55.323
Area1,300 ha (5.0 sq mi)
Websitewww.rasalkhorwildlife.ae
Official nameRas Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Designated29 August 2007
Reference no.1715[1]

Overview

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary represents an enclave of relative wilderness amidst traffic and sprawling urban infrastructure. Located just as the name in Arabic suggests – at the Cape of the Creek, it is among the few urban protected areas of the world.

The Dubai Municipality has taken great efforts to protect and preserve the biodiversity of this delicate ecosystem. The wetland has been fenced off from the public and three birding hides have been built. The bird hides are a first step towards the development of more elaborate visitor education facilities in the protected area. The WWF UAE Project Office collaborated with Dubai Municipality's Environment Department, in setting up the facilities that were sponsored by the National Bank of Dubai.

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.

Presently there are three birding hides located on the perimeter of the sanctuary open to the public. Entrance is free and operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday to Thursday.

Ras Al Khor is also home to about 500 greater flamingoes (Phoenicopterus roseus), which has become something of a mascot for Dubai's Wild Life protection program.

Species
Greater Flamingo

Some of the regular visitors to the sanctuary are:

See also

References
  1. "Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. "View thousands of birds at Ras Al Khor". Visit Dubai. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
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