BY OUR ABU DHABI BUREAU

TWO striped hyena cubs were recently born on Sir Bani Yas Island, part of Abu Dhabi's Desert Islands Destination, as a result of a successful breeding programme.

The births are of particular significance as the striped hyena is extinct in the UAE and is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as 'near threatened' worldwide. IUCN is the official body that monitors the status of nature and wildlife across the world.

These are the first hyenas to be born wild in the UAE in many years. The mother and father Hyena "Phiri" and "Arnold" were raised by conservation staff in breeding centres. They were relocated to Sir Bani Yas Island in 2008 as part of a conservation program, where they were taught how to survive in the wild and to be self-sufficient.

The hyenas roam freely in the 4100 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park on the island along with cheetahs and some 4000 antelopes and gazelles.

To help increases awareness of the plight of the hyenas, Desert Islands invites people from around the world to suggest names for the cubs via the island's website.

Moreover, the Desert Islands hopes that many people will log on to the wildlife blog, which is run by the conservation staff: www.desertislands.com, and at the same time learn about the hyenas and other endangered animals on the island.

Both cubs are healthy and visitors to the island may soon be able to see them roaming around the Arabian Wildlife Park.