It is the first unfenced desert reserve in the country

Al Marmoom Reserve.. Sustainable entertainment between nature and wildlife

• Al Marmoom Reserve includes more than one assemblage of great flamingos (venter-flamingoes) in a desert area of ​​the country. Photo: Patrick Castelo

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Al Marmoom Reserve in Dubai is one of Dubai’s most attractive destinations for the public, as it provides an exceptional experience to spend a recreational experience between the picturesque nature and the wildlife, close to different animals and birds.

According to Dubai Municipality, Al Marmoom Reserve provides an authentic desert experience to the public, by providing eco-tourism opportunities and promoting the future of sustainable living in the arid world. Heritage Al Hadid is one of the oldest heritage sites in the country, dating back to the Iron Age more than 3000 years ago.

The reserve hosts one of the most important Houbara release programs in the region, and the largest number of artificial oases in the desert at the state level, covering more than 10 square kilometers and numbering 56 artificial oases. The reserve also provides the best settlements for endangered hyenas at the state level.

It includes more than a gathering of great flamingos (the venter-flamingo) in a desert area in the country, with a population of up to 500-2000 birds. It also includes one of the most important and largest herds of free-ranging Arabian Oryx in the country.

The municipality has expanded the reserve to cover an area of ​​950 square kilometers in the Dubai desert to include important and sensitive environments. The reserve represents 23% of the area of ​​Dubai, and is classified among the second category of national parks, under the category of protected areas according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The reserve aims to preserve the representation of Dubai's desert landscape and natural biodiversity, through careful and effective management that enhances natural processes to achieve the best protection results.

Al Marmoom Desert Reserve is divided into 70% of its area is water bodies, 23% of its area is gravel plains, and 7% of the reserve area is petrified dunes, wetlands and forests.

The reserve is distinguished by its biological diversity, as it includes 48% of the bird species in the country, which amount to 258 species, as well as 37% of the species of reptiles in the country, and 26% of the species of wild mammals in the country. The reserve also includes 6% of the plant species in the country. The reserve has 136 species of insects, and provides refuge for 19 endangered species according to the regulations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The number of herds of oryx is 1200, while the number of gazelles is 2000 (including 800 of the Damani gazelle and 1200 of the Reem gazelle), and it is constantly increasing due to management efforts that contribute to the stability of the species.

Dubai Municipality is working to track wildlife by satellite, as two tracking devices have been installed on the Arabian Oryx, two on the Damani gazelle and Reem gazelle, two on flamingos, and one on the curly-headed eagle as the first eagle to be followed in the country of the same type. Important results on the movement of animals and birds internally and externally, which contribute to the process of protection and proper management.

The municipality is also working on studying the types of birds breeding in the reserve, by documenting all types breeding in the reserve on a regular basis, which reflects the importance of the site as an ideal environment for breeding birds for the availability of water, food and protection, especially the lakes area.

Towers and platforms

There are eight bird-watching towers distributed in the lakes areas of the reserve, which includes thousands of migratory and local birds for lovers and enthusiasts of bird watching. Birdwatching in the form of interlocking straps.

Platforms were built on elevated areas overlooking the natural environments that abound with wild animals, such as the Arabian Oryx, Reem Deer, Arabian gazelle, foxes and rabbits. The wild Oryx, whose external design mimics the shape of the head of the Arabian Oryx.

• Dubai Municipality monitors the wildlife in Al Marmoom Reserve by satellite.

• 56 artificial oases in Al Marmoum Reserve covering more than 10 square kilometres.

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