The three part documentary to premiere
fall 2016
DUBAI, U.A.E., April 2015– Emirates,
a global connector of people, places and passions, has signed up to
sponsor ‘The Last Wilderness of the UAE’, a documentary series
that will feature the United Arab Emirates’ remarkably rich
biodiversity. It will also provide insight into the natural
adaptations that have enabled many species to survive in the Arabian
Peninsula’s harsh and ever-changing habitats as well as showcase
some of the most important conservation accomplishments over recent
years.
The three part documentary will be
divided to focus on the ecosystems of the mountains and wadis, the
deserts, and the seas of the UAE.
Patrick Brannelly, Divisional Vice
President Customer Experience for In-Flight Entertainment and
Connectivity, commented on Emirates’ support of the documentary:
“As a global airline with our base in Dubai, Emirates is committed
to providing support for innovative projects that highlight the
unknown incredible stories within the vibrant UAE ecosystem. Through
supporting the creation of this documentary and then letting our
passengers view it onboard our flights, we hope to engage millions of
our customers around the world and raise awareness about the abundant
natural beauty found in the UAE’s terrestrial and marine
ecosystems."
Jonathan Ali Khan, the Producer and
Director of ‘The Last Wilderness of the UAE’ said: “As a
natural history filmmaker, I have dived, filmed and explored all of
the seas, deserts and mountains across the Arabian Peninsula over the
last 27 years. After seeing so many changes to our natural world and
the wildlife in this region, I wanted to turn our focus more
specifically towards our own home here in the United Arab Emirates.
Thanks to the support of Emirates, these films will feature the
wildlife and ecology that is found in our mountains and wadis, the
plains and deserts, as well as coastal wetlands and offshore islands,
exploring the reefs and all the other underwater habitats, too.”
Ali Khan added: “We will document and
showcase the true and often surprising biodiversity of a region that
most people just think of as being dry without much wildlife at all.
We intend to show just how far from the truth that really is. Each
film will feature the natural history of many wildlife species, right
up through the food chain on land and under the seas; as well as
reveal both delicate and resilient cycles of life that keep the
natural order of this amazing land in balance, albeit – a delicate
balance. Having the series air on board ice is really exciting as it
has the potential to reach millions of passengers beyond the TV
reach, providing a long term home for the content for years to come.”
‘The Last Wilderness of the UAE’
will feature three 60 minute long films that capture the natural
behavior of a wide selection of terrestrial and marine wildlife
including invertebrates, mammals, fish, reptiles and birds –
studying their behavior and survival mechanisms in the unforgiving
surroundings of the UAE. It will also tell the formidable, powerful
stories of these species, underscored by new knowledge of their
fragile existence and their life-or -death quest for survival in a
harsh environment.
One such example is the Arabian Oryx,
which has demonstrated some of the most remarkable natural
adaptations to its arid surroundings. The Arabian Oryx (locally known
as Al Maha in Arabic) is one of only four Oryx species, and the only
antelope outside Africa.
The Arabian Oryx can go without ever
drinking water, taking the moisture it needs from the plants it
consumes as it only needs water equivalent to 2-4% of its body
weight. Another adaptation is its white coat that helps protect it
from the glare of the sun. Perhaps the most amazing acclimatization
of them all is its ability to lower its blood temperature by seven
degrees during the hottest periods of the day. This amazing desert
survivor was brought back from extinction in the wild due to one of
the most successfully recorded rescue attempts, which was facilitated
in the UAE.
Filming around the desert ecosystem and
its wildlife will soon be commencing at the Dubai Desert Conservation
Reserve supported by Al Maha Desert Resort, owned by Emirates.
Additionally, the stories of the
wildlife featured in the films will be linked to the local knowledge
of Bedouin and coastal inhabitants of the UAE, merging local
artisanal and instinctive knowledge with academic research methods
and conservation practices.
The series is set to premiere on the
Discovery Channel in the fall of 2016 initially in English with
Arabic subtitles, airing in the Middle East and North Africa. An
Arabic edition is also being produced to be aired after that and the
documentary series will eventually be aired in other territories,
such as Central and Eastern Europe and Africa. It will also
simultaneously air on ice, Emirates award winning in-flight
entertainment system.
In addition to the three part 60 minute
documentaries, content will also be produced for twelve 5 minute
mini-documentary videos for podcasts and across a spectrum of social
media channels, among other online platforms. DVD sets will be
produced and distributed regionally to retail outlets and DVDs will
also be distributed free-of-cost to schools and universities to
educate them about the UAE’s diverse ecosystem.
Blandford's Fox, a small species of fox
found in the Arabian peninsula
The crested tern, a seabird that is
found in tropical areas, which can also be found along the eastern
coast of the UAE.
The crested tern, a seabird that is
found in tropical areas, which can also be fou...
The Arabian Sand Gecko is found in the
United Arab Emirates, in addition to other countries around the
region. It inhabits the loose sand of dunes, sandy plains and coastal
beaches.
