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110 flamingo chicks hatch at Al Wathba

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced that 110 flamingo chicks hatched at the Capital’s Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in June and July after another successful breeding season.

This year, flamingos began building nests at two sites within the reserve. Scientists from the EAD spotted the eggs on April 21 at the first site, where 28 chicks hatched, and on May 31 at the second, where 82 chicks hatched.

“The continued breeding of flamingos at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is a result of the EAD’s effective management of this important wetland habitat,” said Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, executive director, Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at the EAD. “Flamingos are the star attraction of the reserve, which will be open to visitors this month. As these beautiful animals breed more ... the area is of growing interest to both the public and scientists.”

Flamingos bred for the first time at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in 1998. Following this success, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the reserve as a Protected Area. The reserve is a 45-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city and a safe refuge for many species of reptiles, small mammals and insects. Around 200 flamingo chicks hatched at the site last year.