The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Investment Company announced Tuesday that two striped hyena cubs were born on Sir Bani Yas Island, part of Abu Dhabi’s Desert Islands destinations. The cubs were born as a result of a successful breeding program and their birth is particularly important to the UAE because the striped hyena is completely extinct in the country. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the striped hyena as ‘near threatened’ worldwide.
The conservation staff raised the mother hyena (Phiri) and father hyena (Arnold) then moved them to Sir Bani Yas Island after they were taught how to survive in the wild and be self sufficient. The hyenas freely roam the 4,100 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island, along with about 4,000 antelopes and gazelles, and cheetahs. Desert Islands has invited people to use the website www.desertislands.com to suggest names for the cubs, and learn about the hyenas and other endangered animals on the island
Like Westminster Abbey, Westminster Palace (or the Palace of Westminster) dates to the Anglo-Saxon period and the reign of Edward the Confessor. Around 1050, he built the original palace. In the century following the subsequent Norman Conquest, English governmental institutions began to move from the old Anglo-Saxon capital of Winchester to Westminster. In 1310, under Henry III, the administra...
Address: Jolfa Square, Jolfa neighborhood . This is another prominent church within Jolfa, a bit smaller, and treated with simplicity and elegance. A charming courtyard and the smaller Hacop Church are also contained within the premises of this impressive building. ...
Süleymaniye Mosque is the second largest mosque in Istanbul. The eponymous sultan commissioned the mosque in 1550 and construction was completed in 1558. The famed Sinan Pasha, who also designed the Blue Mosque, was the lead architect. The mosque is located just north of the University of Istanbul, on one of the city's original seven hills. The layout is based on Hagia Sop...
Overlooking the river is this Italian Renaissance-style building which houses Conrad’s 24hr casino. The lavish portico includes commanding balconies and columns which are well worth a look if the casino hasn’t already commanded your attention. Conrad also occupies the equally lavish, former Land Administration Building which has been converted into a five star hotel (see Hotels). There is also the...