An award-winning photographer is hoping his latest work will further raise awareness of the threat facing ‘the jewel of Bahrain’ as the beautiful bird soars into an uncertain future.
Bahrain-based nature photographer, Dr Ajay Kumar Singh, has focused on the feathered beauty that is popular in the kingdom and across the Arabian Peninsula.
A 168-page book, entitled Socotra Cormorant: The Jewel of Bahrain, will be informally launched at an event at the end of next month.
“If you look into the eyes of the Socotra Cormorant, it resembles a jewel which is why I gave my book that name,” said the 54-year-old Interior Ministry geographical information system specialist, who lives in Hoora.
“The Socotra Cormorant is endemic to the Arabian Gulf and is considered at risk. In the past, Bahrain used to have the largest breeding pairs of Socotra Cormorants and that has reduced by a factor of 10 in recent times, mainly due to urban expansion.”
This species has been listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species since 2000 on the grounds of its small number of breeding localities and ongoing rapid decline.
The decline is said to have been caused by coastal development, disturbance and marine pollution near its nesting colonies. There is an estimated world population of around 110,000 breeding pairs, or 330,000-500,000 individual birds and the only protected nesting colony in the Arabian Gulf is one of about 30,000 pairs on Bahrain’s Hawar Islands.
Of the remaining 13 colonies, in nine different locations, the Hawar colony is the largest. However, since the 1960s, in the northern part of its range alone, about 12 colonies have disappeared.
“There is an urgent need for action in terms of conservation and awareness among people to protect these threatened species,” added Dr Singh. “I have published this book to raise awareness about the bird and help raise a voice for conservation of this treasure.”
The book, which he started working on in 2017, features 12 chapters with each one starting with a brief description and high-resolution photographs. It includes 118 photographs showcasing the bird’s different behaviours at various locations in Bahrain.
He used a Canon 1DX MII and Canon 5D III with a Canon 300mm F2.8 and a 400mm F2.8 fixed focal length telephoto lens that provides higher magnification for long distance photography, plus a 2X extender to capture the long-winged birds.
He believes that photography is one of the best ways of documenting and raising the issue, supported by all forms of media.
“I hope as people become more aware of conservation they will be ready to better protect animals, plants and their habitats,” he added. “My dream is to present wildlife in the best possible light that could make at least some positive impact on people and the country.
“Bahrain is a hub for migratory birds and we need to protect them, alongside native species.”
This is Dr Singh’s second book and follows Greater Flamingos: Images from the Wilds of Bahrain published back in 2017.
His image of pink flamingos wafting on the waves on the coast of Askar won him an international award and praise in Nature’s Best Photography Asia 2019 competition (NBP).
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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