eNewsletter May 2010
In this issue
Get Ready For a Cool, Hot Summer!
It’s summertime in the UAE and that hasn’t stopped the animals on Sir Bani Yas Island from starting to venture out of their hideouts, making the island cubs more visible than ever to guests on Nature & Wildlife Drives. In this edition, Safira’s cheetah cubs are on the move, while our resident animal whisperer has some interesting tales. And, Desert Islands Resort & Spa is offering a range of activities to keep guests really cool. Enjoy!
Summertime… and the lounging is easy
Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara has put a new spin on the usual activities offered to guests by ensuring that some activities on offer will keep guests cool and comfortable in the summer. During this sizzling season, the resort is offering activities such as cooking classes, yoga, Thai massage classes, swimming classes and face painting for children.
The resort has introduced its Anantara Breeze Rate which offers guests who book a Deluxe Room, Suite or Villa this summer a Resort Credit worth a AED 300 for each night stayed, per room. The Resort Credit is redeemable in any of our restaurants or Anantara Spa. The summer promotion is available until September 8, 2010 only on weekdays (Saturday to Wednesday).
*Offers are subject to availability and are not applicable for groups. Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee.
For bookings and reservations, please contact Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on Tel: +971 2 801 5400 or email: Resdirs@anantara.com
Cheetah Cubs Start Exploring
The Desert Islands female cheetah, Safira, and her cubs have come out of their mountain hideout and are now roaming around the lowlands of Sir Bani Yas Island.
Every morning, Safira hunts to provide her cubs with necessary food. The cubs are growing fast while practicing stalking and pouncing on each other as they would their prey.
Most recently, the cubs have been tripping each other over which is entertaining to watch. Being able to fall without injuring themselves is an extremely important hunting skill which they use to catch their prey.
The cubs are also ranging larger distances with their mother and exploring new areas of the Arabian Wildlife Park which will mean visitors to Sir Bani Yas Islands are now much more likely to see them on Nature & Wildlife Drives.
The Animal Whisperer
Amer Braik is the guide at Desert Islands who is known as the island’s “Animal Whisperer” - thanks to his expert hyena spotting skills during the Nature & Wildlife Drives.
Amer enjoys his daily interaction with different animals on his drives, and seems to have a special relationship with a stubborn female ostrich that waits for him every day by the park gate. When he opens the gate, Amer and the ostrich enjoy some fun while she picks at his clothes, trying to find food on him which keeps his guests thoroughly amused with their cameras snapping.
“This is the highlight of working at Desert Islands,” says Amer. “When you work with animals, every day is a new adventure.”
Conservation Team Saves Lives
The Desert Islands conservation team recently saved a shark and a pair of hedgehogs on Sir Bani Yas Island.
The island’s veterinarian Barbara Arca spotted the hedgehogs trapped in a hole where they were suffering from dehydration. “They were such funny animals,” she said. “Once we treated them and they were feeling better, they began running about. They then waited by the door to go for a walk, so we knew it was time to release them back into the Arabian Wildlife Park.”
Meanwhile, a black tipped baby shark was stranded by the tide in Sir Bani Yas Bay and it was essential for it to be moved because the water levels were rapidly dropping and the shark would no longer be able to breathe.
The shark was rescued by the Desert Islands Conservation team, while assisted by the onsite member of the Emirates Marine Environmental Group. It was released from the jetty where the water was deep enough. With a single swish of its tail, it set off for deeper waters.