Abu Dhabi: Al Wathba Wetland Reserve was officially declared as a protected area in 1998 by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan as it proved to be a favoured habitat of migratory birds and a significant breeding site for the Greater flamingos.
Flamingos have flocked to Al Wathba to breed since 2011, making it the only site in the UAE and in the Arabian Gulf where this species regularly breeds.
In 2013, the reserve achieved international recognition when it joined more than 2,000 wetlands worldwide as a Ramsar site, making it Abu Dhabi’s first Ramsar site. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetlands.
Additional developments are set to further enhance the eco-reserve experience for visitors to Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. Key developments will include the elongation of the current self-guided walking trails to cover different habitats in the reserve, the introduction of an educational botanical garden to include key native plants of Abu Dhabi and the provision of facilities for physically challenged people.
