Bu Tinah

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An aerial photo of the Bu Tinah island off the western coastline of Abu Dhabi

Bu Tinah is a tiny archipelago amid extensive coral formations and seagrass beds some 25 km south of Zirku and 35 north of Marawah in the United Arab Emirates.^[1] Found in the waters of Abu Dhabi, it is protected as a private nature reserve. Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve with a territory of more than 4,000 sq km. The Biosphere reserve is the region's first and largest UNESCO-designated marine biosphere reserve. It has been a recognised UNESCO site since 2001.^[2] Closed to visitors, fishing and the collection of turtle eggs are prohibited on Bu Tinah Island, the ban being enforced by patrols. Bu Tinah is actually a cluster of islands and shoals, joined or almost so at low water, with nowhere greater than two or three metres above sea level. The main island has a sheltered lagoon opening to the south with the low energy environment permitting stands of mature mangrove to flourish.Even birds like Socotra Cormorant are found here.
There are also healthy coral reef habitats with as many as 16 species of coral recorded in the area. And the reefs survive in conditions that would kill coral species in other parts of the world. The Gulf's waters are among the most saline in the world, as well as among the warmest. Corals live in water that is between 23°C and 28°C but in the UAE water temperatures go as high as 35°C in summer.
Bu Tinah’s thriving habitat is a unique living laboratory, with key significance for climate change research. This distinctive natural habitat with its shallow waters, seagrass beds and tall mangroves, set amid extensive coral reefs, hosts rare and globally endangered marine life. Seabirds such as the flamingo and the osprey, diverse species of dolphins, and the rare hawksbill turtle are to be found in Bu Tinah. The island’s waters are also home to the planet’s second-largest population of dugong, a large marine mammal that is globally threatened. Some 600 out of the estimated 3,000 dugongs in the country live in the waters around Bu Tinah and the creatures are listed as a species vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This precious natural resource is part of the largest protected area in Abu Dhabi.Its significant coral community and the health of its habitats and species despite its high temperature and salinity levels make the island of keen scientific interest.
Bu Tinah Island is one of the 28 official finalists for the “New7Wonders of Nature”.

[edit] References

1. ^ [1] UAE Interact site
2. ^ Bu Tinah Abu Dhabi: TimeOut Bahrain

[edit] External links

• Butinah.ae - official Bu Tinah website by Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi
• Visitabudabi.ae - general info about Bu Tinah Shoals

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Coordinates: 24°36′06″N 53°04′49″E

A Glimpse of Bu Tinah

The conservation of Bu Tinah Island and the protection of its biosphere are key to obtaining solutions for sustainable development in the future. That's why we strive to keep the island protected from threats, both natural and man-made. This doesn't mean, though, that you can't catch a glimpse of Bu Tinah. Watch the film and understand better why we are committed to preserving this natural wonder of the Arabian Gulf.

 

 

WILDLIFE

Bu Tinah is home to some of the most amazing creatures and plantlife in the world.
Get to know the island's inhabitants better.

DUGONG

Bu Tinah Island has one of the healthiest Dugong populations in the world.
Read More

CORAL REEFS

Bu Tinah's coral reefs are tough beauties, surviving the highest temperature fluctuations known to any coral in the world. Read More

Hawksbill turtle

Bu Tinah Island is home to the most critically endangered species of sea turtle in the world.
Read More

OSPREY

The Osprey, also known as 'sea hawk' or
'fish eagle' is found on every continent except Antartica. Read More

Socotra cormorant

The Socotra Cormorant is a native of the Arabian Peninsula.
Read More

flamingo

The Greater Flamingo or 'fanteer' can be found on alkaline or saline lakes, lagoons and estuaries, fresh and salt water. Read More

mangrove

Avicennia marina was named after Ibn Sina, a 10th century Persian philosopher and physician everyone called Avicenna. Read More

bottlenose dolphin

Thirteen different dolphin species are regularly found in UAE waters.
Read More

shore crab

Despite their small size (2 cm), Shore Crabs, locally known as ‘saratan ash-shati’, are hardy creatures that live in mangroves. Read More

fish

Locally known as 'hilali', the Blackspotted Rubberlip is a favourite amongst local households.Read More

The Map

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New 7 Wonders

New 7 Wonders of Nature is a global campaign begun in 2007 that aims to get people around the world voting for a new list of seven natural wonders. From 440 nominations from over 220 countries based on beauty of the nominated site, ecological substance, historical legacy and geographical location, the list was narrowed down to 77, and further to 28 finalists.
The competition closes on 11/11/11, so please support conservation and protect our natural heritage by voting for Bu Tinah as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Bu Tinah Experience

WE BRING BU TINAH TO YOU. Because of the importance of conserving Bu Tinah, activities on and around the island are limited to scientific research and data gathering. But there's no reason why you can't experience the wonder of Bu Tinah for yourself.
Visit The Bu Tinah Experience on the Abu Dhabi Corniche and get a glimpse of what life on Bu Tinah is like. Get all the information you need on this vital biosphere with our interactive exhibits and presentations, including a turtle rehabilitation pool and life size species models.
You also have the chance to get up close and personal with some of EAD's other marine conservation projects, as well as the conservation activities of Emirates Wildlife Society and World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF).
Turtle rehabilitation
Two of the island's main inhabitants, the Hawksbill and Green Turtles are endangered species that we at Bu Tinah feel most protective of. Visit the live rehabilitation pool to find out more about these beautiful creatures and understand why protecting them is very important.
SCHEDULES

WHEN	Open every day from Friday September 30 to Sunday November 13
TIME	10 am to 10 pm
SCHEDULE	Shows are every 90 minutes
ENTRY	Tickets are free on the door
AGE RESTRICTION	Only children aged 3 and above
LOCATION	Abu Dhabi Corniche

News & Headlines

Stay up to date with the latest news on Bu Tinah Island and our conservation efforts throughout the Emirates.

In the Press

Bu Tinah

• November 20th, 2011
• Al Emarat Al Youm
• Arabic, English

Non-Arabic 7wonders

• November 19th, 2011
• Zahrat Al Khaleej
• Arabic, English

Dont Be Sad on Result of Bu Tinah

• November 18th, 2011
• Al Ittihad
• Arabic

Employees of Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy visit Experience Bu Tinah

• November 18th, 2011
• Al Ittihad
• Arabic, English

MoEW shows movie to vote for Bou Tinah as one of 7 wonders of the world

• May 8th, 2011
• Al Bayan
• Arabic, English

MoEW shows movie to vote for Bou Tinah as one of 7 wonders of the world

• May 8th, 2011
• Al Ittihad
• Arabic, English

Updated website for Bu Tinah Island launched

• March 12th, 2011
• Zahrat Al Khaleej
• Arabic, English

Bu Tinah website revamped

• March 2nd, 2011
• New 7 Wonders
• English

Updated website for Bu Tinah Island launched

• March 2nd, 2011
• Al Khaleej
• Arabic, English

Updated website for Bu Tinah Island launched

• March 2nd, 2011
• Al Ittihad
• Arabic, English

Updated website for Bu Tinah Island launched

• March 1st, 2011
• Zawya
• Arabic

Bu Tinah Inspires Bridal Dress

• February 22nd, 2011
• Kul Al Usra
• Arabic, English

Bu Tinah Inspires Bridal Dress

• February 12th, 2011
• Zahrat Al Khaleej
• Arabic, Engl

Welcome to Bu Tinah

Off the coast of Abu Dhabi is a protected marine area where nature is respected and allowed to flourish. It’s through the protection of Bu Tinah unique environment, and the conservation of its habitats and inhabitants, that this important ecosystem has thrived.
Bu Tinah Island is part of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO recognised site and the region’s first and largest Marine Biosphere Reserve (MBR). These sites are vital for promoting more harmonious partnerships between natural and human activities and are key to the future of sustainable development.
Bu Tinah Island is a natural treasure of the UAE and the only finalist from the Arabian Gulf in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.
Discover Bu Tinah and find out how a vote for Bu Tinah is a vote for conservation.