‘I see the world in a whole new light’: Dubai photographer unveils the UAE's hidden wildlife

While the UAE is often associated with towering skyscrapers, modern cities, and vast deserts, wildlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind for most people. However, Dubai-based photographer Anish Karingattil is on a mission to change that perception.

Originally from India, Karingattil relocated to Dubai 17 years ago and quickly developed a passion for wildlife photography, with a focus on macro shots. His captivating portfolio features intimate images of creatures across the Emirates, including a scorpion with her offspring, an Arabian horned viper camouflaged in the sand, and dew-covered black and yellow mud daubers.

“As photographers, we have the power to tell stories through our images,” Karingattil says. “Macro photography gives me the ability to see the world around me in an entirely new way.”

Despite its arid conditions and scorching heat, the UAE is home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals. The country's surrounding waters host the largest population of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins globally, and the second-largest concentration of dugongs, after Australia.

Following the UAE president's decision to extend the nation's ‘Year of Sustainability’ into 2024, Karingattil embraces wildlife photography as a way to showcase the country's rich biodiversity and bring it to a wider audience.

Although interior design is his professional career, Karingattil’s true passion lies in ‘herping’—the study and photography of reptiles and amphibians in their natural environments. “Herping is a beloved hobby for nature lovers and wildlife photographers who are captivated by the beauty and variety of these creatures,” says Karingattil.

Capturing images of potentially dangerous creatures, such as snakes and spiders, requires careful preparation. Karingattil stresses the importance of researching an animal's behavior, habitat, and any risks involved before attempting to photograph it. This knowledge helps ensure a safe approach and reduces risks for both the photographer and the wildlife.

For Karingattil, conservation plays a key role in wildlife photography, which he views as an impactful means of raising awareness and advocating for the environment.

“By capturing the beauty and vulnerability of nature, photographers can inspire both the public and policymakers to appreciate the importance of environmental protection and sustainable practices,” he explains. With over 69,000 followers on Instagram, Karingattil leverages social media to educate audiences about the species he photographs.

UAE Biodiversity

The UAE boasts 49 protected areas, both terrestrial and marine, including eight located in Dubai. These protected zones, which make up over 18% of the country’s land area and 12% of its marine territory, safeguard the region's major ecosystems, including mountains, deserts, coasts, and marine environments.

Andrew Gardner, Associate Director of Biodiversity Conservation at Emirates Nature-WWF, states that wildlife conservation is regarded as a crucial responsibility in the UAE. The country is a signatory to various international conservation agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, and has played a key role in the successful reintroduction of species like the Arabian oryx to the Arabian Peninsula. Today, more than 1,600 oryx are thriving in two of the UAE's protected areas, with thousands more residing in zoos across the region.

Rapid urbanization and population growth across the Emirates have led to significant environmental pressure, with a government report revealing that 53% of bird species, 46.7% of mammal species, 19% of reptile species, and 8% of plant species are now at risk of extinction.

According to Gardner, the Arabian wolf and striped hyena have both disappeared from the UAE in recent years, and a small population of Arabian leopards that once roamed the Hajar Mountains until the mid-1990s is now believed to be extinct.

Karingattil highlights habitat destruction, climate change, and overfishing as some of the most pressing threats to wildlife in the UAE, but he believes that plastic pollution is an issue that urgently requires more attention and action.

“Whenever I venture into the desert or other natural areas, I make it a point to pick up any litter,” he shares. “By clearing away waste and debris, we can help minimize the negative effects of human activity on the environment.”