Video: Over 300 animals relocated away from UAE railway track

Dubai - Misanad Protected Area is home to a range of wildlife species, including snakes, Cheeseman’s Gerbils, scorpions, and pigeons.

A number of wild animals, which call the Misannad Protected Area in Sharjah home, have been relocated to alternate habitats by Etihad Rail, which is developing the national railway network in the UAE.

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Etihad Rail organised the transport of animals from the Misanad Protected Area, through which the planned route of the national railway runs, to other suitable and protected habitats.

It relocated over 300 animals, including 242 Middle Eastern Short-Fingered geckos, 24 Baluch rock geckos, and 5 saw-scaled vipers, among others.

The relocation, completed in line with international best practices, was conducted in cooperation with the Sharjah Environment & Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), along with environmental experts, specialists, and other relevant national authorities.

Misanad Protected Area is home to a range of wildlife species, including snakes, Cheeseman’s Gerbils, scorpions, and pigeons.

In addition, the rare and endangered Persian wonder gecko, which is one of the most colourful types of geckos in the UAE, lives in the Misanad Nature Reserve.

Last week, Etihad Rail announced its partnership with Emirates Nature-WWF, Fujairah Environment Authority and Fujairah Adventures, to implement an environmental conservation and habitat rehabilitation project in Al Bithnah, Fujairah.

Simon Pickup, managing director of Anthesis Middle East, an environmental consultant, said a mitigation scheme has been developed where animals would be moved within the footprint of the planned railway to safe locations in the surrounding areas.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai