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‘Media Coverage’

The Sahara Conservation Fund’s (SCF) recent participation in the publication of researcher and photographer Ugo Mellone’s latest book – Erg | Reg – was done with the aim of increasing awareness of the Saharan region. The book offers a new perspective on the desert ecosystem, focussing on extinct or critically endangered species such as the addax and the scimitar-horned oryx.

Since the book’s publication in late 2020, elements of it have featured in a range of different media, including the French magazine ‘Geo’, the Spanish magazine ‘El Pais Semenal’ and the Italian magazine ‘Asferico’.

It has also featured in ‘New Scientist’, with a recent article touching upon some of the photographs Mellone captured of Cuvier’s gazelles. The article explains how the photos were taken, as well as going into detail about why this species – along with other large Saharan animals – is struggling to survive. Furthermore, Ugo Mellone’s work and photographs have been included in ‘BBC Wildlife Magazine’. This particular publication featured the work of SCF alongside Mellone’s, helping to bring the efforts of SCF to audiences around the world.

The success of Erg | Reg therefore has positive implications for the Saharan region and its wildlife, as well as for the people and cultures who depend on it. Many inhabitants of the Sahara live nomadic or pastoral lifestyles and the health of the ecosystem is key to their livelihoods. As more people understand the plight of the Sahara and are made aware of the work SCF is doing to improve the fortunes of this unique environment, the better its chances will be in the long-run.

Ugo Mellone’s book, Erg | Reg, is still available for purchase online here.

L’autruche d’Afrique du Nord (Struthio c. camelus) ou autruche à cou rouge est l’une des quatre sous-espèces d’autruches existantes. L’espace sahélo-saharienne est une zone de prédilection pour ce grand oiseau. Il y a un siècle, cette race d’autruches était localisée dans près de 18 pays limitrophes du Sahel et du Sahara. Aujourd’hui, leur espace vital est réduit à 6 pays.

The partnership aims to fulfil Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s objective of raising awareness of key regional environmental issues and initiatives among as wide an audience as possible.

Emirates Airlines has announced a collaboration with Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to air two nature documentaries, Back to the Wild and Zayed’s Antarctic Lights, for inflight passengers. The films have been included in the inflight entertainment package on Emirates flights since October.

Emirates Airlines has collaborated with award winning Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to air nature documentaries inflight. Two EAD documentaries – Back to the Wild and Zayed’s Antarctic Lights – have been included in the inflight entertainment package on Emirates flights since October.

The current global pandemic has created a multitude of setbacks in so many facets of life. For the conservation community, one of the most heightened difficulties was the loss of field seasons. During the spring and summer months, many researchers and academics travel to field sites for data collection, but when travel is restricted or even banned, how can research and conservation continue? 

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Arizona recently opened a five-acre Safari Park expansion, featuring pygmy hippos, Grévy’s zebra, onagers, caracals and clouded leopards.

Among the achievements that the world presents on Endangered Species Day, which falls on May 15, the Al Ain Zoo is celebrating its success in preserving wildlife and its role in presenting the UAE as a global supporter of nature conservation and biological diversity.

Created in 2012, Niger’s Termit and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve is the last region of the Sahara relatively undisturbed by human activity. But expanding oil exploration threatens this sanctuary for 130 bird and 17 mammal species, including the critically endangered addax (Addax nasomaculatus).