Patagonian-maras suprinsingly spotted in the Dubai desert!

A new and amazing group of animals that originate from Argentina have been found in the sand dunes in the heart of the UAE desert, just 40 kilometres from Dubai.

A number of Patagonian maras, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, large ears and a hoofed body, are reportedly roaming the grounds of Lake Al Qudra (a series of interconnected artificial lakes surrounded by sand dunes), which is home to gazelles and other desert creatures in the UAE.

How the rodent, which is normally found in Argentina, made its way to Lake Al Qudra remains a mystery in the UAE, where the herd has been living in a network of burrows among the dunes for several years.

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and authorities in Dubai did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about the presence of Patagonian cavy.

One estimate suggests that as many as 200 animals may have bred in the area and the larger nearby Al Marmoom Desert Reserve, where a few dead Patagonian cavy have been found.

An Associated Press journalist came across at least five of the rodents on a recent visit to Al Qudra Lake, a vast desert area about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of downtown Dubai. On another visit, he saw multiple groups of the animals, including a female still nursing her calf.

Jackie Godas, who has long studied mammals in the UAE, wrote in a chapter of a recently published book, The Natural History of the Emirates: “This large rodent is a common species in zoo collections and has undoubtedly found its way out of captivity.” He added that although the species is not adapted to living in a dry environment, the absence of its usual predators such as cheetahs has “allowed it to survive in modified habitats containing tree plantations, meadows and ponds.”

This is the delicate environment at Al Qudra Lake, which likely helps keep the Patagonian cavy there despite the UAE’s regular summer temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) and high humidity.

Patagonian cavy is a herbivore and poses no threat to humans. Although this species is exhibited in zoos such as Dubai Safari Park, its existence in the wild remains a mystery. However, it is believed that they have been left in the wild after escaping from zoos or private farms in the region.

Source: Independent - Published on 27-11-2024 - https://ar.rt.com/yscz