TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Alyazya 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Do zoos hold species representing the greatest conservation priorities? By Dr Tom Martin LECTURE SUMMARY: Modern zoos and related ex-situ conservation institutions have now been in existence for almost 200 years. During this time they have possessed multiple and evolving roles; as hubs of scientific research, as recreational ‘amusements’, as showcases of colonial and civic prestige, and as centers of environmental education. In recent decades, however, they have become increasingly vital components of global conservation networks, with numerous species being saved from extinction primarily through the intervention of ex-situ breeding programmes. The looming 21st century biodiversity crisis, and its associated predictions of species becoming extinct in the wild, could potentially mean that zoos are poised to play an even more urgent conservation role in the coming decades. However, while the potential of zoos for mitigating species extinctions has been theoretically discussed, little research has examined whether the species currently held in global zoo networks are representative of those most likely to be facing imminent extinction threats in the wild. This talk will summarize recent research examining this issue at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, which used a matched species-pairs approach to determine whether birds, mammals, and amphibians currently held in zoos around the world are as likely to be threatened as their close relatives not held in zoos, and will then discuss how paradigms of the way zoos are run may need to change if they are to exert the maximum possible influence on reducing future extinctions. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Dr Tom Martin is a zoologist and conservation biologist with a wide range of research interests. His recent fieldwork projects have focused on conservation projects in the Mesoamerican and Wallacean biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and the deserts and steppes of Central Asia. He was until last year also part of a theoretical research project, run in collaboration with Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, examining coverage of mammals, birds, and amphibians held in global zoo networks, and examining the extent to which the composition of these ex-situ holdings match the composition of species facing the highest threats of extinction in the wild. Originally from south-west England, Tom has been living in Abu Dhabi for the last six months.

Join us for the first meeting of the new season.  This event is open to the public and a great opportunity to socialise with like-minded people, browse our bookstall, sign-up as a member or renew your membership and of course, learn about fossils.   TIME: Refreshments from 7:00pm, lecture from 7:30pm VENUE: Alyazya Ballroom 3, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Vignettes of eons past by Nirmal Rajah, Education coordinator at Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Sharjah LECTURE SUMMARY: This talk about fossils will give a brief glimpse into the history of life on planet earth. Nirmal will explain why it is important to learn about the past and how this knowledge can help us in the future. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  With degrees in Zoology and Biotechnology, Nirmal Rajah is currently the Education coordinator at Mleiha Archaeological centre in Sharjah. More than passionate palaeontology enthusiast, Nirmal has been collecting and studying fossils for more than a decade. Nirmal believes that the study of fossils can unravel a world of wonder and learning for young, eager minds. In 2015 Nirmal led an expedition to discover fossils in Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu, India which was later released as the aptly titled documentary ‘’Unearthing the Treasures of Ariyalur’’, the documentary was greatly appreciated within the academic circles in India and abroad.    

Summer Field Trip, answer directly to Denis  spacemandc@gmail.com 20-day group adventure traveling on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, Russia, July 6 – July 25. Along the way, we will explore some of the more significant and famed cultural and natural delights of Russia and Siberia. This field trip worked out so well last summer that I’m organizing it again for this summer. Here is the full itinerary:  ·         St. Petersburg (inc. the Hermitage, Peterhof, etc. – 3 days) ·         Moscow (inc. the Kremlin and the “Golden Ring” – 3 days) ·         Kazan (1 day) ·         Novosibirsk (1 day) ·         Krasnoyarsk (1 day) ·         Irkutsk (inc. cruise on Lake Baikal with stop-off on Olkhon Island – 3 days) ·         Ulan-Ude (1 day) ·         Vladivostok (1 day) There are an additional 6 days on the train for a total of 20 days – 8800 km! – for the entire journey. During this “train time,” we will be treated to scenic views of the unique natural beauty of the Siberian tundra and forests. In fact, this whole trip will be a real “journey of discovery.” Every participant will learn about, and experience, the culture, history, geography and natural wonders of Russia and Siberia. Of particular interest to ENHG members are Lake Baikal – the largest and deepest fresh water lake in the world, Olkhon Island, Stolby Nature Reserve in Krasnoyarsk, Ulan Ude with its unique and colorful Mongolian-Buddhist culture and, finally, Vladivostok – the San Francisco of Russia!   Approximate price is 2800 EUR per participant all inclusive (i.e., train tickets – berth in 2nd class 4-berth cabin, hotels including breakfast and local transportation). Not included are all other meals and roundtrip airfare to and from Russia (i.e., from Abu Dhabi to St. Petersburg and return home from Vladivostok to Abu Dhabi or elsewhere). Participants would be responsible for arranging their own visas. Full instructions and advice on the most efficient and expedient way to do this, as well as a more accurate and updated price (which depends on how many people sign-up) and more complete details on the trip itinerary, will be provided to all those who respond to this announcement (send to the email address below my signature).   The deadline to sign-up for this adventure is May 31. Please include full contact information, i.e., email address, phone number, etc., with your sign-up message. Please DO NOT sign-up unless you are really interested in, and committed to, participating. The size of this group is limited to 12 participants, so, hurry and grab your spot before someone else gets it!   Denis Cheng Field Trip Coordinator spacemandc@gmail.com

Join us for a get-together to celebate a wonderful season, chat about common interests and ENHG activities. All welcome, however we will need everyone to register before 18th June 2016.  Location: Fanr @ Manarat Al Saadiyat, Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi  Date: Tuesday, 21st June 2016. Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm Price: AED 135 per person   Sign up: http://goo.gl/forms/rtrZwezmqrgaqVZr2      Menu 135 AED per person   APPETIZER Lobster Salad (D, S) Poached lobster tail with avocado, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomato, fresh chives and marie-rose sauce OR Beetroot Salad (D, N) Pickled beet, mesclun, goat cheese and toasted walnut   MAIN COURSE Confit Chicken (D) Confit chicken leg with creamy polenta, sauteed broccoli, green peas, sage cream sauce and sweet potato chips OR Beef Stew (D) Stewed beef mushrooms, carrots, fresh herbs, new potatoes and toasted baguette OR Penne Pasta (D) Homemade arrabiata sauce with fresh basil and parmesan cheese   DESSERT Tiramisu (D) Homemade tiramisu with savoiardi, cocoa dust and fresh strawberry

TIME: Refreshments from 7:10pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE:  Alyazya 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi ABOUT THE LECTURE: In this talk we’ll not only take a look at the conservation ecology of a rare moth from the island of Mull, but also learn about some of the natural history and geology of this beautiful Scottish island, with a little bit of Celtic mythology thrown in as well ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Oscar Campbell, originally a chemistry teacher at the British School Al Khubairat, is the chairman of the Emirates Bird Records Committee. He has carried out original research and published extensively in local, as well as international scientific publications, recording and counting populations of important resident and migratory birds around the UAE. He plans to continue researching and recording rare and endangered bird species such as the Socotra cormorant, of which Abu Dhabi hosts 35 percent of the world’s population. His diligent work in the research of birds has awarded him Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak prize for Natural History in June 2013. 

We have a great opportunity to see the three biggest “planetary crowd pleasers” – marvelous Mars, gigantic Jupiter and stunning Saturn – this coming Friday evening, May 27, during this time of an opposition of the earth and Mars. What this means is that the earth and Mars will be in a direct line with the sun and, so, will be at their closest approach to one another in their respective orbits around the sun. This in turn, means that this is the best time for us earthlings to get a good look at our closest planetary neighbor (and maybe even for us to take a quick trip over there – or for the Martians to take a quick trip over here! Think about that…). Here is a link for more detailed info. What’s more, Mar’s planetary brothers, Jupiter and Saturn, will also be on splendid display in the same night sky, so, we will be treated to a real celestial “triple header!”   The exact opposition of the earth and Mars will actually take place on May 22, but, that date won’t be such a good one to observe the “Red Planet” as there will be a slightly waning full moon (also known as a “Blue Moon”) in the sky that same night which will “wash out” Mars and the other planets. But, Mars will still remain in good opposition – and close view – to the earth for the next couple of months to come, so, I’ll go out to the desert this coming Friday evening to set up the ENHG’s 5 inch/130 cm (magnifying mirror) telescope and my own 8 inch/203 cm to have a good “close up” look at Mars and his other 2 “planetary buddies.”   For those who would like to join me in taking in this “planetary splendor,” meet-up time will be 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 27, at the ADNOC station on the Airport Road highway (E-20) heading out of Abu Dhabi just before the turnoff (on the left) for the airport. The number of participants will be limited to the first 20 persons who send me an RSVP (include your mobile phone number) at spacemandc@gmail.com. Efforts will be made to find rides for those who need one. For those who make the list, remember that it will be hot, so, bring something liquid to keep yourself hydrated, and a comfy folding camp chair to lounge on between peeks through the telescopes. This "star party" should last about 2 - 3 hours and "break-up" at about 11:00 p.m.    May you have dark skies (the standard greeting of all amateur astronomers),  

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, Quiz from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Abu Dhabi Wildlife Quiz by Arabella Willing ABOUT THE QUIZ: Join us to test your knowledge of the UAE wildlife in this fun and hands-on quiz night. The quizmaster is a marine biologist by trade, so expect a focus on the creatures of the Arabian Gulf and its shoreline. Five teams will be formed on the night and there will be several rounds including a sound round, puzzle round, Saadiyat species & ENHG lectures this season. ABOUT THE QUIZMASTER:  In June 2013, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi welcomed its first resident marine biologist to the team. She joined the ENHG almost immediately and by January 2016 she had found herself chairing the committee. Arabella studied marine biology at St. Andrews University but is no stranger to the middle-east; she grew up travelling the world, spending four years in Oman as a teenager. When she’s not planning ENHG events, Arabella organises workshops and excursions to educate and entertain guests at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, whilst ensuring that the hotel adheres to strict environmental standards and driving their corporate social responsibility programme “Hyatt Thrive”. Saadiyat is home to an abundance of wildlife including hawksbill turtles and humpback dolphins which Arabella monitors on a daily basis.

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Abu Dhabi, flying and the ENHG in "the old days" by John Stewart-Smith ABOUT THE SPEAKER: John was a founding member of the ENHG and the first Chair of the group. He lived in the UAE for many years prior to the formation of the ENHG, arriving in 1968, and was dedicated to the recording and observing of biodiversity, his motto of ‘observe, record, report’ is a main mission of all ENHGs. This motto continues to be paramount and is the foundation of publications such as the newsletters and Tribulus. In June 2011 AD ENHG awarded John a Lifetime membership. John used every opportunity to capture information about the natural world. With his day-job as a pilot, John spent many years photographing the UAE from the air. In a very generous gesture, he donated aronud 1000 negatives of these photos to Sheikh Nahyan. John took the recording of natural history to another level. He was allowed to use military equipment to do bird watching. Thus, he would fly a 10 seater Islander to the most remote areas of the UAE and simply land, therefore truly recording data that would otherwise never have been possible. John would birdwatch whenever he could. A favourite haunt was close to Sheikh Zayed’s sea palace, where there were mangroves and mud flats. John would regularly go and one day one of Sheikh Zayed’s aids joined John asking on Sheikh Zayed’s behalf which birds he was observing and what else there was of interest. John used the opportunity to talk about conservation and nature reserves, needing fences to keep those out that may damage the delicate ecosystem. To his amazement, both positive and negative, the next time he visited his words had been taken very seriously and a fence had been erected to protect the bird habitat, something he ‘almost’ regretted but was also very pleased about. He recollects that Sheikh Zayed was very interested about natural history. John is full of these amazing stories. N.B. This talk will be in place of the lecture scheduled for 3rd May. 

Dear All, Leslie Butler from Al Ain Chapter is inviting Abu Dhabi Members to a Geological tour in Oman, If you want to participate, please email directly Leslie Butler On Friday the 22nd of April, our Field Trip will be a highly photogenic geological tour of the Al Ain-Sohar road (Oman Route 7) We will meet at 09:00 in Oman at the car park of the little mosque just past the Omani Immigration post at Wadi Jizi. That’s 56°10’09.3” E, 24°12’58.9” N; or 24.2163611° N, 056.1692500° E decimal.  This is just a small, local mosque, not in use on Friday morning. BASIC FEATURES This is about beautiful or interesting geology. There’ll be some excellent photo-ops, and a couple of shaded picnic-ops away from traffic noise. However, most of the drive and stops will be along the main road, which usually isn’t too busy on a Friday morning. We won’t stray far from our vehicles, except at one magnificent broad wadi where a 15-20 minute walk (plus same back again) is well justified, and that’ll be late in the morning with no shade, other than at the point where we turn back. DURATION How long the whole trip will take depends on how much time folk want to spend in particular places.  My basic schedule is three to four hours, not counting getting there and back, but we can extend or curtail on demand. I cvan provide a list of coordinatesto anyone wishing to follow the route at their own pace.  We won’t be going all the way to Sohar. GEOLOGY Although I’m billing this as a geology trip, I am not a geologist, and I’ve selected the stops on the basis of their attractiveness or interest. The tour is based on Route 6 of Ben Jordan’s excellent ‘Geotrekking in Southeastern Arabia’. I’ll have notes available for interested parties, but I won’t be lecturing. COST For most foreign UAE residents, visas will cost AED 85: 35 Dirhams to exit the UAE, and 5 Riyals to enter Oman. They usually prefer you to pay by credit card.  Omani charges vary by nationality and even occupation (no charge for children), so if you’re not sure of your status, check www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_pr_visas_agcc.asp You can claw back some of your visa expense by stocking up on cheap Omani petrol. There’s a gas station about 6km before the Wadi Jizi border post, and they accept Dirhams. INSURANCE.  If you don’t have Oman vehicle insurance, you can obtain from a 24/7 office by the first roundabout you come to after you pass the Emiurati Al Shiklah border post. TAKE the usual water, snacks, hats and good shoes for the loose surfaces. There are some wadi pools you might want to wade into, though only at one site. A camera, of course. Polarised shades enhance the view. CONVOY ARRANGEMENTS It would help to let me know if you're planning to attend, but I’m not setting a limit on numbers. A few vehicles is preferable to lots, of course, so please pool as much as possible. There are places to park before you enter the Emirati border zone, or you could seek travel partners through this Yahoo ENHG Group. There's a good phone signal everywhere along the route, by the way. DIRECTIONS to the UAE Shiklah border post from Dubai, you should follow signs for Al Ain centre. You go through some roundabouts with no left turn (because the Omani border fence is in the way), and then go left at the first opportunity. Follow that road (past a border post which only GCC citizens can use) until you come to a roundabout with only a right turn, and follow that to a wadi bridge and a T junction at which you turn left. That gets you on to Khatam Al Shiklah street which you follow (passing the Al Ain Hilton and Danat hotels on your left) to the Khatam al Shikhla border post.  from Al Ain: Proceed along Khatam Al Shakhla Street, past the Danat, Sand Golf club etc to the Khatam al Shikhla border post. You don’t have to get out of your car here, but make sure you have passports and cash handy. Once through, do not take the truck road to your right but keep straight on, and straight on too through the next two roundabouts. The petrol station above mentioned is a few km after the 2nd roundabout. from Abu Dhabi: Enter Al Ain on the E22 and keep going as the E22 turns into Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street. Go straight at the big Tawam Roundablout, then turn right after UAE University, marked by an overpass above and a large rounded blue-ish building on your right. Go straight through the next r/a, which has a sort of gazebo on it, then left at the next r/a. That puts you on ‘Schools Road’ aka Khalid Bin Sultan or 147th Street which will take you past Etisalat, the Hilton and Danat hotels and so on to Shiklah. Alternatively, you could join the E30 AD-Al Ain truck road which by-passes the city before becoming the E7 which takes you to the Shiklah border crossing. OR COME THROUGH HILI Alternatively, if you’re familiar with the Hili-Buraimi crossing, it may be more convenient to use that, and then follow signs for Sohar or Muscat as the route to Muscat is via Sohar.   After Shiklah Follow the road to Sohar/Muscat. There have been road works and diversions lately, but they’re pretty good at putting up helpful signs. Next stop is the Omani border post. Here you park and enter the building. At the desk on your right, you’ll see a queue and some piles of forms one each of which you should complete before joining the queue. Visas are usually paid for with a credit card. Once back in the car, you’ll be checked by customs, then a tad further on you hand over the paper you received at the desk, and you’re free. Our meeting point, the mosque car park, is 100m or so on your right. That’s also our first stop, as there are ancient copper workings just up from the trees in this rather pretty location. FINALLY One reason for entering Oman through Shikhla is the immediate array of contrasting colours and textures nearby and on the horizon. After you clear UAE controls, note the layers of what look like mud slabs to your left, but which are actually . . . well figure it out yourself. Please Contact directly Leslie Butler  lesliebutler@yahoo.com Field Trips are open to paid-up members of one of the ENGH Chapters under their own responsibility  Yves Queromain

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Arabian Sea Humpback Whales: History, mystery, current study and an uncertain future by Robert Baldwin LECTURE SUMMARY: The waters of Arabia are surrounded by whales. We don’t see them largely because we don’t look for them, but perhaps also because we don’t really expect to see them. From an ecological perspective, this would seem like a reasonable expectation. The Arabian region is in a cul-de-sac of the Northern Indian Ocean where the marine climatic regime is as harsh as anywhere on our salty planet. Rob Baldwin first came to this part of the world in 1988 and began studying whales as part of his academic study, and then his career. By the early 90’s it was becoming clear that whales (and dolphins), far from being absent, were both diverse and abundant in the region. They were also apparently a little bit different. After many more years of detailed scientific study, focused largely on humpback whales, it is now clear that they are very different. In the case of the humpback whale, Arabia’s population is geographically, demographically, and genetically distinct. It is also in danger of extinction. During the past few years, research efforts have therefore been ramped up in a bid to learn more in time to help recover the population, revealing fascinating new information about a little-known whale. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Robert Baldwin has lived and worked in the Middle East for over 25 years.  His main experience is in marine scientific research and conservation, particularly on marine mammals and sea turtles. He began his career in Coastal Zone Management and has since broadened his experience to include a range of multidisciplinary environmental and research topics. Robert represents several international organisations as an expert advisor on marine mammals and sea turtles, such as IUCN, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Rob has been a driving force behind the challenge to understand and protect endangered marine life of the Arabian region for many years. He is currently Director at Five Oceans Environmental Services in Oman, which he treats as both a company and a cause, with the primary aim of helping to bridge the gap between development and conservation. 

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Evolutionary Dead-Ends in Eastern Arabia by Dr Richard (Dick) Hornby   LECTURE SUMMARY: In a changing environment, it is usually the most highly adapted species that suffer most. Dick Hornby will draw on his long experience of the region to highlight some of the strangest and most highly adapted species in UAE and Oman, and he may speculate about their future prospects. A diverse range of animals and plants will be covered, including some very odd invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, and a few higher plants. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  ENHG Life Member Dr Richard (Dick) Hornby has a background in zoology, but he also has a keen interest in botany and ecology in general. After working with the Nature Conservancy Council in East Anglia and Southern England, he moved to Abu Dhabi in 1993 to set up the National Avian Research Centre (NARC), which is now part of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. When the organization was well established he moved to the UAE Federal Environmental Agency to advise on wildlife and land use issues.  In 1996 he became an independent ecological consultant, extending his interests into marine and coastal ecology. In 1997 Dick joined the staff of The Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems as an Academic Editor, while continuing with ecological consultancy. In 2005, jointly with Veryan Pappin, he established Nautica Environmental Associates, which is the only Abu Dhabi based consultancy that specialises in ecology. The company has grown to about fifteen people and has carried out hundreds of environmental studies and ecological surveys. Dick takes the lead with all the terrestrial surveys but also devotes a lot of time to marine invertebrate work, mostly in the laboratory. Dick has published in the ENHG’s journal Tribulus on the following topics:  A Red List of Birds of UAE, Red List of Mammals of UAE, Checklist of Reptiles of UAE, gazelles in UAE, coastal biodiversity, intertidal molluscs, clam shrimps, spoon worms and dragonflies. He was Chairman of the Emirates Natural History Group from 1993 to 1999.

Join us for an informal get-together to chat about ENHG activities and common interests. All welcome. Location: The Beach House Terrace, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Date: Tuesday, 29th March. Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm