Bu Tinah Island at ADIHEX 2011

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is promoting Bu Tinah Island, a Finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature, at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) this week.

The island of Bu Tinah lies in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, and is home to unique coral reefs, mangroves, endangered Hawksbill turtles, dugongs, dolphins, Ospreys and Socotra cormorants. Along with urging UAE residents to support the New7Wonders campaign, EAD’s team of experts will also showcase Abu Dhabi’s desert wildlife at ADIHEX, including some of the emirate’s biologically important species like Zarudny’s Worm Lizard (the only amphibian found in the UAE) and the Arabian Horned Viper, which is best known for the trails it leaves after gliding down sand dunes.

As well, EAD will highlight the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme, which aims to release Saker and Peregrine falcons back into the wild as part of an ambitious research programme to understand the rehabilitation potential of falcons used for falconry.

“We are very excited to be a part of ADIHEX to further educate people in Abu Dhabi about our emirate’s natural heritage and to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the need to protect our unique and fragile environment,” H.E Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General, EAD said. “One of EAD’s priorities is to engage with the public and our stakeholders to raise awareness on the need to protect our biodiversity and live sustainably,” she added.

People attending ADIHEX can show their support for Bu Tinah at a booth set up to allow the exhibition’s visitors to cast their votes for the island. Anyone living in the UAE can also vote for Bu Tinah by sending an SMS message to 3888 with the word ‘BuTinah’ in the text.