Issue No. 9
Ocean News News & Views from Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
CLEAN UP UAE 2011
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Conservation Team members took the pledge for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable UAE on December 12, 2011. For the second consecutive year we were thrilled to participate with Emirates Environment Group (EEG) in the 10th annual Clean Up UAE campaign. The massive Clean Up campaign was conducted in 4 Emirates; Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi. According to EEG, in 2010 more than 100 tonnes of waste was collected by more than 20,000 volunteers and 2011 proved an even greater turnout. Our Conservation Team members look forward to participating in this annual tradition in December 2012.
TEACHERS FEEDBACK
• Really beneficial and entertaining. Highly informative. Jovial and friendly approach from the educator. Grades 8-10, New Indian Model School, Sharjah • Our Educator was of great help to us to guide kids towards explaining and handling our tiny ones. Keep up the good work. KG 2, Delhi Private School, Dubai • It was very educational and informative. Children enjoyed themselves to the fullest. KG 2, Delhi Private School, Dubai • Everything went smoothly and according to plan. Educators kept the children entertained while teaching them several facts about the animals and the ocean. Friendly staff, great experience! Grade 1, Sharjah American International School • We really enjoyed our day! Montessori 2, The Central School
March 2012
• Our Educator was AWESOME! Montessori 1, The Central School • Most impressed with the whole trip. Educational, informative and FUN! Thank you all. Grade 1, Raffles International School • Excellent Educators. Thanks a lot. Grade 4, Al Zuhour Private School • Very smooth tour. Great and energetic guide. We will be back again. Grade 4 and 5, Dubai American Scientific School • We are very happy with our visit. I wish to come again. Thank you very much for caring. Grade 6 and 7, Al Estiqlal School • Our guide was very good in dealing with the children. Very age appropriate. He involved the children and made it lots of fun. I would recommend and come back again. Thanks! Grade 1, Jebel Ali Primary School
Printed on recycled paper
www.thedubaiaquarium.com
HAWKSBILL TURTLES AT DUBAI AQUARIUM & UNDERWATER Z
oo
Here at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, we are fortunate to have 2 Hawksbill Sea Turtles staying with us temporarily before their release back into the Arabian Gulf. The rescued turtles are here as part of their rehabilitation before being returned to the wild. The turtles were a welcome addition to the 2011 Jewels of Arabia campaign which aimed to bring awareness to the amazing species found locally throughout the UAE. How much do you know about sea turtles? Take the quiz and find out!
1. Adult Hawksbill Turtles can weigh up to approximately __________kg. 10kg, 40kg, 70kg 2. All species of Sea Turtles are classified as endangered or threatened? True or False 3. To nest, females return to the beaches where they were born? True or False 4. Generally, how many eggs does a female Hawksbill lay per nest? 4, 60, 150 5. Out of every 1,000 turtle hatchlings, how many grow to adulthood? 1 - 2, 100 - 200, 900 - 1,000 6. A staple food for the Hawksbill is sponges? True or False 7. List 3 threats to the Hawksbill turtle. ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ 8. What is the carapace? ________________ 9. What does a sea turtle egg look like? ping pong ball baseball football 10. How many sea turtle species are there? ________ Answers 1. Adult Hawksbill Turtles can weigh up to an average of 70kgs 2. True. All species of sea turtles are classified as endangered or threatened. 3. True. These beaches are called natal beaches. 4. The nesting season occurs every 2-3 years and female Hawksbills may have multiple nests during this season. Each nest will often have between 130-160 eggs.
5. Although turtles lay dozens of eggs, only 1-2 of those that become hatchlings will survive to adulthood. 6. True. Hawksbills feed on sponges, algae and other invertebrates. 7. The Hawksbill Turtle is under threat from: • Harvesting of their eggs and meat • Entanglement in fishing gear • Coral reef habitat loss • Commercial exploitation including the use of their carapace for hairclips and jewelry • Human interference with nesting • Destruction of and human use of nesting beaches
How Did You Do? 1 to 3 correct answers Amateur Sea Turtle Scholar You’re getting there. Keep learning. 4 to 7 correct answers Advanced Sea Turtle Scholar Nice job! You’re on the right path. 8 to 10 correct answers Expert Sea Turtle Scholar
Congratulations!
The more you know about sea turtles, the better equipped you are to help protect their survival. Share this knowledge with your friends and family. Well done!
8. A carapace is a protective shell covering an animal such as that on a turtle or crab. 9. A sea turtle egg is small and round, similar to that of a ping pong ball. 10.Worldwide, there have been 7 species of sea turtles identified including; The Green Sea Turtle, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtles, the Leatherback and the Flatback Sea turtle. These turtles are all classified as threatened or endangered.
Visit us on
Humboldt Penguins are monogamous. They find one partner and mate for life!
Conservation Programme
r Survivom e rogram
Shark Parade
P
arade Penguin P hood) (Early Child g un Perfect for yo s learners, thi is e mm progra rly based on ea ching childhood tea as colour and h concepts suc ncing, language and ue seq rn, nt. patte the environme my place in
Turtle Parade
1
or urviv
S
Take the plunge and enjoy stories, games and puzzles that teach young learners about turtles and what we can do to help their survival. The fun does nʼt stop there. Children will see and learn about dozens of other resid ent species found right here in the UAE and maybe even in their own backyard.
Suitable for Grades 1-3, students will learn about the adaptations of animals and how they use these special features to survive in their environments.
2 3
Survivor
7-9, this for Grades ences Available sses the differ cu dis e mm progra onal and tural, functi uc str n ee betw and how adaptations behavioral sh in imals to flouri these help an ment. their environ
Jewels of Arabia 1 students in Designed for e , this programm grades 1-3 local e of the key highlights som i here in Duba species found t the and throughou gramme UAE. This pro roduction includes an int the to habitats of ing, UAE, pearl div sea local culture, ngs, camels turtles, dugo re. and much mo
1
on
Conservati
New
Survivor
Prepare d for G rades 4 based on -6, it is the ecol ogical co adaptatio ncept of ns. Anyth ing that an orga helps nism to survive an reproduc d e succes sfully in is an ad its habita aptation. t
(Early Childhood) This programme is ideal for early learners with a focus on environmental awareness including recycling information such as the usage of bins and thing s to recycle. This programme is designed to cater to young ones in a way which will enhance their know ledge about the environment aroun d them and teach them how to impro ve the world by being responsible citizens.
!
Designed for stud ents in Grades 1-3 it focu s on how to conserve and care for the environment. The prog ramme is delivered in a fun and interactive way by giving students information about their surrounding s, what affects our environm ent negatively and how they can mak ea difference.
Conservation
2
Designed for students in Grades 4-6. At this level, we discuss the problems affecting the environment and brainstorm solutions to help save our planet. By presenting detailed information to increase their ecological and environmental awareness, we make the students part of the problem, try to find solutions and help them realize ownership and responsibility for the world they live in.
rvation Conse for students in
3
Designed the Grades 7-9. We encourage of the students at this age to be part by world conservation campaign of range learning about a wide global as such issues tal nmen enviro warming, green house gas shing emissions, shark finning, overfi teach and pollution. In general, we and e chang them to be the face of n in leadership through participatio to local organizations, working and t nmen enviro conserve the ive to how to start their own initiat inspire change.
Printed on recycled paper
www.thedubaiaquarium.com
Visit us on
40 Divers help to celebrate 40 Years of UAE history
The unveiling took place on November 30th, 2011.
Junior and Senior aquarist
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an Aquarist? Do you love animals and enjoy marine science? Come and learn what it takes to work with thousands of marine animals. Contact our Booking Officer to reserve your space now.
To honor UAE’s National Day, celebrating 40 years and the Spirit of the Union, 40 divers from Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, along with Al Boom Diving and Emirates Diving Association joined together to unveil the largest national flag in an aquarium.
at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Throughout January and February 2012, students were able to experience Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo transform into a deep dark jungle for our most recent campaign, Night Safari. Some amazing animals were debuted for the first time at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo included Emperor Scorpions, Bird Eating Spiders and Reticulated Pythons.
MEET How long have you been with Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo? I joined as a member of the opening team and have been with Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo for more than three years. What is your role here? I’m working as an Educator with The Ocean School, teaching thousands of school children as well as guiding guests and giving presentations about our aquatic animals. In addition, I enjoy my role as Coordinator of the
YASSER
volunteer and intern programme here at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. What is your favorite part of the job? My favorite part of the job is educating and entertaining the school children. Why do you think education is so important? Education is so important because it gives us a clear vision about the world we live in.
What is one thing that students can do to help protect animals and their habitat? Students can help protect animals and their habitat by learning more about conservation. Our conservation programme at The Ocean School would be a great place to start. Students may also consider starting a Conservation Team like we’ve done here at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Participating in events like recycling and clean-up activities is a great way to get involved and this benefits animals and their environment.
Grand Partner Published by Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo Tel +971 4 448 5200 www.thedubaiaquarium.com
Partners