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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.
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