Ras Al Khor, Protected wetland sanctuary in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Ras Al Khor is a protected wetland in Dubai with salt flats, mangroves, mudflats, and lagoons that connect to Dubai Creek. The site includes observation hides positioned along its edges where visitors can watch flamingos and waterbirds.
The area was protected by Dubai Municipality in 1985 and officially recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1998. This designation helped preserve the natural habitat as the city expanded around it.
The sanctuary serves as a place where visitors watch birds and animals living in their natural habitat and learn about mangrove ecosystems firsthand. Local schools bring students here to see how conservation efforts protect living spaces within the city.
Visitors can use the observation hides positioned around the site to watch wildlife up close. Early morning and late afternoon visits offer the best light for viewing and photographing birds.
The site is home to roughly 450 animal species and 47 plant types despite being entirely surrounded by Dubai's urban development. This coexistence demonstrates how nature can persist within a modern city.
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