United Arab Emirates, AL QUDRA LAKES (AP) In the remote reaches of skyscraper-filled Dubai, a desert oasis tucked away in the dunes has attracted an unexpected new group of tired tourists: a colony of Argentinean rats.
The grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, which are usually inhabited by gazelles and other desert animals in the United Arab Emirates, are now home to many Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, large ears, and a body resembling a hoof.
In the United Arab Emirates, where exotic animals have found their way into the private residences and fields of the wealthy, it is still unclear how they got there. However, the pack has already managed to exist for a number of years in a system of tunnels between the dunes.
When The Associated Press asked about the presence of the Patagonian maras, the UAE’s Climate Change and Environment Ministry and officials in Dubai did not reply. Since only a few dead maras have been discovered, it is estimated that up to 200 may be thriving in the region and the larger Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve nearby.
During a recent trip to Al Qudra Lakes, a large desert region about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of central Dubai, an AP journalist spotted at least five maras. He witnessed several groups of the creatures during a subsequent visit, one of which had a mother nursing a young.
Among the area’s lakes, Al Qudra is at the end of a lengthy bike path that is well-liked during the winter and attracts campers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Some have been artificially created to resemble two hearts, a crescent moon, or even an Expo 2020 billboard for Dubai.
At the height of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the Patagonian maras made their public debut. When the Dubai Natural History Group’s monthly newsletter was first published in the summer, volunteers reported seeing them on Al Qudra and on Saadiyat Island, which is close to Abu Dhabi, the nation’s capital.
In a chapter in the new book A Natural History of the Emirates, Jacky Judas, who has long studied mammals in the United Arab Emirates, stated that this huge mouse is a common species in zoological collections and surely made its way out of captivity.
At Al Qudra, they are frequently spotted eating grass or sleeping in the midst of roundabouts. Judas observed that although this species is not suited to dwell in arid environments, it may be able to thrive in highly modified habitats with lawns, ponds, and tree plantations if its typical predators, such as pumas, are absent.
The maras’ continuing survival in Al Qudra is probably due to the exact conditions there, even though summer temperatures in the United Arab Emirates can approach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) with heavy humidity.
They appear to be breeding, based on the population at Al Qudra. Female Patagonian maras only enter heat a few times a year for roughly half an hour each, and they mate for life. One to three children may be born to them simultaneously. The animals can be killed and consumed in Argentina, and their fur is used to make blankets and carpets.
Although they are herbivores and therefore not dangerous to people, the Patagonia maras probably have relatively few predators at Al Qudra. The region is home to Arabian red foxes, which hunt there.
It’s still unclear how the Patagonian maras got there. The children’s area of the Dubai Safari Park zoo, which is located just as far from Al Qudra as the downtown area, features maras on exhibit. The maras may have escaped overland or by excavating their way out of a nearby property, as evidenced by the adjacent trails and farms held by Dubai’s aristocracy near Al Qudra.
In the past, Patagonian maras, which are native to central and southern Argentina, have been brought into the region as exotic pets. Earlier this year, the sighting of one generated extensive local news coverage in the Denver neighborhood of Lakewood, Colorado. Authorities now assume the animal is dead, though. A Patagonian mara was discovered in the trunk of a vehicle in August that was attempting to enter Turkey from Greece with other animals in what was believed to be a trafficking attempt.
Emirati males in fancy automobiles with pet lions on the cruise have been spotted on social media, despite the fact that it is against the law in the Emirates to keep endangered or threatened wildlife as pets. Authorities issued a warning in 2021 after a wild cat was spotted roaming around one neighborhood.
The Associated Press, 2024. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. It is prohibited to publish, broadcast, rewrite, or redistribute this content without authorization.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!