Dubai vet sees rise in 'killer bullfrogs' as owners treat them as disposable pets - via Herp Digest

5/21/19 theNational.ae.uae, Nick Webster

The creatures have a strong bite and can devour rodents whole, though they pose little danger to humans

They are cannibals, eat anything in their path and breed at such a rate they are wiping out native populations of birds, rodents and reptiles around the world.

Now they are becoming more common in the UAE.

Like the dreaded cockroach, the North American bullfrog is one of nature’s resounding success stories and fast gaining a similar reputation of indestructibility.

Vets are reporting a rampant rise in the number of the belching amphibians, which can weigh 700 grams and grow to 20 centimetres long, after seeing them imported into Asian food markets and as pets.

“I have seen very large bullfrogs sold in Sharjah, and there are many Chinese coming to Dubai now who are giving them to children like goldfish for birthday presents,” said Dr Piotr Jaworski, a vet and exotic pet expert at the Advanced Pet Clinic in Al Wasl, Dubai.

They are cannibals, eat anything in their path and breed at such a rate they are wiping out native populations of birds, rodents and reptiles all over the world.

Now they are becoming more common in the UAE.

Like the dreaded cockroach, the North American bullfrog is one of nature’s resounding success stories and fast gaining a similar reputation for indestructibility.

Vets report a rampant increase in the number of the croaking amphibians, which can weigh 700 grams and grow to 20 centimetres in length.

The frogs are generally imported into Asian food markets and as pets.

“I have seen very large bullfrogs sold in Sharjah, and there are many Chinese coming to Dubai now who are giving them to children, like goldfish, for birthday presents,” said Dr Piotr Jaworski, a vet and exotic pet expert at the Advanced Pet Clinic in Al Wasl, Dubai.

This country has an increasing number of invasive species like these bullfrogs

Dr Piotr Jaworski, Advanced Pet Clinic

  

“When they get too big, they are often released into the locality. That is when they become an invasive species.

“Bullfrogs will eat anything, from insects to small rodents and even birds.

“It won’t be long before they will feed on the young of local and migratory birds.”

Despite Dr Jaworski’s concerns, authorities say the species does not pose a serious threat to the UAE. Its strong bite and toxic skin do not pose a danger to humans.

Invasive species are one of the top five direct causes of biodiversity loss.

Alien species increase competition for food, water, habitat and shelter.

They also increase predation, disease and parasites, leading to loss of biodiversity, deterioration of ecosystems and habitat degradation.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment works closely with the concerned local departments to identify invasive species and how they get into the country.

A recent survey revealed the existence of 24 invasive species in the UAE. They include the rock dove, house crow and the feral cat and goat.

African donkeys are also considered an invasive species, as are brown rats, the house mouse and ants from Singapore and Argentina.

Invasive species are divided into taxonomic groups: plants, insects, mammals and birds – but the American bullfrog is not currently on a watch list.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said bullfrogs were not yet considered a threat to local wildlife and fauna.

“The American bullfrog is only found in small numbers in the UAE,” he said. “It is not considered an invasive species because it doesn’t meet the definition and criteria to identify a species as an invasive.”

Dr Jaworski thinks that is likely to change, mainly owing to the illegal exotic pet trade that has little consideration for the damage done to local environments when imported animals are later released into the wild.

“This country has an increasing number of invasive species, like these bullfrogs,” he said.

“They are commonly farmed in Asia, and imported either as pets or for the Chinese food market and as reptile food.

“The UAE is at risk of them becoming a disaster as the numbers are increasing.”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists bullfrogs as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species.

They cite many examples of invasive bullfrogs threatening native species worldwide.

In an online blog for the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, biologist Stan Orchard said bullfrogs were eating egg-bearing adult female frogs, killing dozens of tree frogs in a single gulp.

Dr Jaworski warned of the risk of sleepwalking into an ecological disaster when preventive measures are not taken against rapid population growth.

“Research needs to be done into how they are getting into the UAE so better controls can be implemented,” he said.

“They are sold very cheaply, for just Dh5. I’ve asked traders what they have them for, and they are used for larger bait animals for fish and reptiles. 

“Frogs can be imported frozen for this use, but to import them without controls is irresponsible. “Trade in animals has little control and many buyers are not experienced in the issues of biodiversity and threats from invasive species.”

Khloe Kardashian causes outrage for selfie with tiger cub in Dubai

Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian has been condemned by wildlife charities for being the latest celebrity in the disappointing trend of taking wild animal selfies (click here to see the image). Khloe then posted the image on her instagram account.

For the photograph Khloe was cuddling a tiger cub, which, says the conservation charity World Animal Protection, probably would have had its “canine teeth and claws removed – a process which causes them great pain,” so that it was safe for tourists to handle. “These ‘once in a lifetime’ photos mean a lifetime of misery for the animal involved,” it said in a statement

More tigers live in captivity today than in the wild. It’s estimated that the number of captive tigers in the United States alone is at least 5,000 - far more than the 3,200 left in the wild globally. Many of these captive tigers are kept not by accredited sanctuaries or zoos but by private owners.

Tourists are often unaware of the cruelty tigers suffer for these tourist attractions. That’s why we recently launched the next step in our ‘Before they book’ campaign, to expose the hidden suffering that lies behind posing with tigers for holiday snaps.Dr. Jan Schmidt-Burbach, Programme Manager for Wildlife in the Asia-Pacific region, said: 

“We’re disappointed to see yet another celebrity posing with a wild animal. Tigers belong in the wild, where their needs can be fully met – not in captivity for use as entertainment or photo props.

Read on ...

The Republic of Congo and United Arab Emirates destroy ivory stocks

Nearly five tonnes of ivory has been burnt in the Republic of Congo’s capital Brazzaville, while another 10 tonnes was crushed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

These two countries join Belgium, Chad, China, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Hong Kong SAR, Kenya, Philippines, Zambia and the United States which have all now destroyed all or part of their ivory stockpile. It all started in July 1989, when the Kenyan government burnt 12 tonnes of ivory - its entire stockpile - heralding in a global ban on the international trade in elephant ivory.

The news has been welcomed by conservation charity Born Free, which says in a statement: “Ivory crushes and burns have become not just practical solutions to the risks and costs of keeping ivory, but also important symbolic gestures and rallying calls to boost political support for elephant conservation and send a clear message to wildlife traffickers. Indeed, the wide spread of countries which have engaged in destruction events highlights the relevance of the issue to those beyond the conventional source and consumer nations. “ 

Source

215 pieces of ivory seized by Dubai Customs

November 2012. Dubai Customs have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of ivory hidden in 40 boxes containing green beans. The customs authorities estimated the ivory, that was seized at the Jebel Ali Port. to be worth some £2.5 million.

The consignment was en route from an unspecified African country. The customs inspectors manually searched the boxes of beans and found that they contained ivory from at least 108 poached elephants of various ages.

Poaching has caused a decline of African elephants from millions to a few hundred thousand individuals in the past decades.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/dubai-ivory-seizure.html

Why Don't We Drink Milk from Animals Other Than Cows?

Maybe the "camel-ccino" will be the drink that finally leads America to stray from the cow's udder.

The Dubai café chain Cafe2Go has begun to make its lattes and cappuccinos with camel's milk, an old Bedouin staple that's booming in the United Arab Emirates' modern food scene, Reuters reported.

But any baristas looking to import the craze stateside would have to contend with strict regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and more than that, they would have to overcome America's apparent reluctance to embrace non-cow milks. 

Continued:  http://www.livescience.com/24242-why-only-cow-milk.html

Exhibit of rare species opens at Deira City Centre

Dubai A public exhibit by the Dubai Customs to make people aware of endangered wild animals has been moved from Mirdif City Centre to Deira City Centre.

The exhibit opened on Tuesday morning on the first level near the Dubai Metro entrance. It features a wide array of stuffed exotic animals known to be illegally shipped into the UAE despite laws banning the importation of endangered species.

Large square glass exhibits feature everything from alligators and gazelles to bears and rare birds to inform the public that every animal taken is one less in the environment and contributes to the decline of the species.

Pamphlets are also being handed out to discourage shoppers from buying products that contain rare animal skins.

Ahmad Mahboob Musabah, executive director of the Customer Management Division at Dubai Customs, told Gulf News at the outset of the campaign in May that illegal traders are being stopped at Dubai borders.

“Last year, we stopped about 120 animals and plants from entering Dubai,” Musabah said. “Some were falcons, turtles and skins of other animals. We also blocked shipments of oud.”

Musabah said that the more the public are aware of the problem, the more likely smugglers are to be found out.

“We are trying to give people the message that this is very serious,” Musabah said in an interview. “We hope that the numbers will be reduced and people will know more about the circumstances of endangered animals. People should know about the dangers of importing these animals into the country.”

The exhibit is free to the general public and is open during regular hours at Deira City Centre.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/exhibit-of-rare-species-opens-at-deira-city-centre-1.1037774

Bid to save wildcats from amorous cousins

DUBAI // Volunteers at a nature reserve are taking part in a conservation project to save the rare Gordon's wildcat.

The story of this species' plight is not the usual one of overhunting or habitat loss; its nemesis is none other than … the domestic pussycat.

The wildlife expert Peter Roosenschoon, who launched the project at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, says the wildcat's survival as a distinct species is threatened by interbreeding with domestic and feral cats.

And he has made an important discovery towards ensuring the feline's survival: nine out of 10 wildcats prefer sardines with chillies.

He tried many different baits for his traps, including cat food, tuna, raw meat and quails' entrails. None worked, however, until he experimented with tinned sardines and chillies and found that cats were turning up regularly in the traps.

"We want to see what the interaction is between feral cats and Gordon's wildcats within the reserve," Mr Roosenschoon said. "That means capturing as many cats - feral or Gordon's - as possible."

Six volunteers are taking part in the first UAE project by Biosphere Expeditions, a UK-based non-profit company that runs conservation holidays around the world.

The trips give members of the public a chance to contribute to serious scientific research, and the manpower they provide makes it possible to collect more data than would otherwise be possible.

The group consists of visitors from the United States, Australia, France, Germany and Austria who have flown in specially for the expedition, plus the Austrian Evelyn Brey, who lives in the UAE. They are spending a week at the reserve, where 16 cage traps and 14 camera traps have been set up.

Each evening they bait the cages, and the following morning they return to see if anything has been caught overnight.

“With the Biosphere Expeditions team we are looking for the range: how many cats we’ve got throughout the reserve,” Mr Roosenschoon added. “It’s a real help having these guys.”

The trapped animals are microchipped and a tiny piece of tissue is taken from their ears for DNA testing before they are released. The results will be used to determine whether each individual is a pure Gordon’s or a hybrid, and any which are found to be the result of interbreeding will be removed from the reserve.

This will open up more territory to the Gordon’s wildcat and enable a pure population to develop. In the future, specimens obtained from captive breeding centres may be introduced and it is hoped that lessons learnt from the project can be applied elsewhere.

The volunteers also weigh and measure the cats, and are working on a second project to evaluate the reserve’s Arabian Oryx population.

Ms Brey said: “If I can help in any way, if what we are doing here is actually giving great data that takes these projects forward, then I’m very happy.”

The National spent a day with the volunteers, staying overnight at their base camp, and found they were learning the frustrations as well as the satisfactions involved in desert conservation.

The group’s fleet of three Land Rovers frequently became trapped in soft sand when venturing off established tracks. What is more, problems with GPS equipment meant the teams could not find some of the traps, which proved to be as elusive as the rarely seen wildcat.

“It wasn’t only us inexperienced drivers getting stuck, it was also the staff from the reserve taking us into the dunes,” said the expedition leader Malika Fettak, from Germany. “It’s unpredictable, if you come to a very soft spot you just sink in and there’s nothing you can do.”

The long day, which had started at 6am with saucepan lids being struck together as a wake-up call, ended with dinner around the campfire followed by shisha. The volunteers then retired early to their tents, exhausted from digging out all that sand from beneath the cars.

csimpson@thenational.ae

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/bid-to-save-wildcats-from-amorous-cousins