Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai: When he's not jumping out of aeroplanes or scaling the Burj Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Dubai regularly posts his nature photography on social media and has shared photos of these giraffes against the backdrop of the Dubai skyline. Instagram
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai: When he's not jumping out of aeroplanes or scaling the Burj Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Dubai regularly posts his nature photography on social media and has shared photos of these giraffes against the backdrop of the Dubai skyline. Instagram
Mike Tyson: Having long given up the pet tigers he used to have in his younger days, the boxing champ now favours pigeons as his preferred pet. Admitting to having once spent $20,000 on three Janssen pigeons, considered the number one racing pigeon in the world, Tyson wrote in the 'New York Times' of his pets: 'They are highly intelligent animals, and arguably the most loyal. Make a pigeon your friend and you’ll never be lonely.' Instagram
Mike Tyson: Having long given up the pet tigers he used to have in his younger days, the boxing champ now favours pigeons as his preferred pet. Admitting to having once spent $20,000 on three Janssen pigeons, considered the number one racing pigeon in the world, Tyson wrote in the 'New York Times' of his pets: 'They are highly intelligent animals, and arguably the most loyal. Make a pigeon your friend and you’ll never be lonely.' Instagram
Salma Hayek: The actress's pet owl, named Kering, has become as popular on Instagram as she is. But that's not the '30 Rock' star's only animal. 'I have five horses, four alpacas, one cat, eight dogs, one hamster, five parrots, two fish,' she told Ellen DeGeneres. Instagram
Salma Hayek: The actress's pet owl, named Kering, has become as popular on Instagram as she is. But that's not the '30 Rock' star's only animal. 'I have five horses, four alpacas, one cat, eight dogs, one hamster, five parrots, two fish,' she told Ellen DeGeneres. Instagram
Vanilla Ice: The former rapper has a wallaroo named Bucky Buckaroo as his unusual pet. Wallaroos come in the size range between the bigger kangaroo and the smaller wallaby. 'I have had him for 13 years,' said the 'Ice Ice Baby' singer. Instagram
Vanilla Ice: The former rapper has a wallaroo named Bucky Buckaroo as his unusual pet. Wallaroos come in the size range between the bigger kangaroo and the smaller wallaby. 'I have had him for 13 years,' said the 'Ice Ice Baby' singer. Instagram
Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Hollywood action star and former Governor of California has a pet donkey called Lulu and a miniature pony named Whiskey who, along with his more traditional domestic pet, his dog Cherry, like to join their master at the dining table for treats. Instagram
Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Hollywood action star and former Governor of California has a pet donkey called Lulu and a miniature pony named Whiskey who, along with his more traditional domestic pet, his dog Cherry, like to join their master at the dining table for treats. Instagram
Justin Bieber: The 'Sorry' singer famously paid $35,000 for a pair of Savannah Cats he named Sushi and Tuna, even setting up their own Instagram account. A hybrid cross between a serval and a domestic cat, they are highly intelligent and can weigh up to 11.3 kilograms. Instagram
Justin Bieber: The 'Sorry' singer famously paid $35,000 for a pair of Savannah Cats he named Sushi and Tuna, even setting up their own Instagram account. A hybrid cross between a serval and a domestic cat, they are highly intelligent and can weigh up to 11.3 kilograms. Instagram
Melanie Griffith: 'I grew up with lions,' the 'Working Girl' actress revealed on Instagram. 'This was my best friend Neal.' Instagram
Melanie Griffith: 'I grew up with lions,' the 'Working Girl' actress revealed on Instagram. 'This was my best friend Neal.' Instagram
Kirstie Alley: The former 'Cheers' star has 14 lemurs as pets. 'I started out having lemurs because they are a great animal, and I was very interested in conservation in Madagascar where they are from and saving rainforests and forests.' she told 'People'. 'Lemurs live a long time – about 30 years – so it’s a huge responsibility. I actually have a full-time animal caretaker.' Instagram
Kirstie Alley: The former 'Cheers' star has 14 lemurs as pets. 'I started out having lemurs because they are a great animal, and I was very interested in conservation in Madagascar where they are from and saving rainforests and forests.' she told 'People'. 'Lemurs live a long time – about 30 years – so it’s a huge responsibility. I actually have a full-time animal caretaker.' Instagram
Audrey Hepburn: The 'Roman Holiday' actress ended up with a pet fawn, which she named Pippin, while shooting the film 'Green Mansions' in 1959. On the set, an animal trainer suggested the star adopt Pippin, which she did. Instagram
Audrey Hepburn: The 'Roman Holiday' actress ended up with a pet fawn, which she named Pippin, while shooting the film 'Green Mansions' in 1959. On the set, an animal trainer suggested the star adopt Pippin, which she did. Instagram
Martha Stewart: As befitting her famously glamorous home life, lifestyle guru Stewart has two peacocks living their best lives on her 153-acre property in New York state. 'The Blues Brothers are at it again,' she wrote on Instagram of the colourful pair. 'As soon as their tail feathers are grown in they start to preen and strut and flirt with the females. It is a sight to behold!' Instagram
Martha Stewart: As befitting her famously glamorous home life, lifestyle guru Stewart has two peacocks living their best lives on her 153-acre property in New York state. 'The Blues Brothers are at it again,' she wrote on Instagram of the colourful pair. 'As soon as their tail feathers are grown in they start to preen and strut and flirt with the females. It is a sight to behold!' Instagram
Reese Witherspoon: As well as an adorable pet goat, the Oscar-winning actress and producer also has a donkey named Honky living at her Malibu estate. Instagram
Reese Witherspoon: As well as an adorable pet goat, the Oscar-winning actress and producer also has a donkey named Honky living at her Malibu estate. Instagram
Hugh Hefner: As befitting his somewhat unorthodox lifestyle, the late Hugh Hefner opted for a llama to keep as a pet in the grounds of the Playboy Mansion. Instagram
Hugh Hefner: As befitting his somewhat unorthodox lifestyle, the late Hugh Hefner opted for a llama to keep as a pet in the grounds of the Playboy Mansion. Instagram
Amanda Seyfried: The 'Mamma Mia!' star has six chickens and one rooster at her home in the Catskills, New York. 'One is called Candice Bergen. There’s a Julia Roberts in there and a Debra Winger,' she told 'Allure' of how she names them after famous actresses. Instagram
Amanda Seyfried: The 'Mamma Mia!' star has six chickens and one rooster at her home in the Catskills, New York. 'One is called Candice Bergen. There’s a Julia Roberts in there and a Debra Winger,' she told 'Allure' of how she names them after famous actresses. Instagram

Family

From lizards and owls to deers and wallaroos: unusual pets owned by 13 stars and royals

As Salma Hayek shares snaps of her pet owl, Kering, we take a look at the stars who have something a little more exotic than a cat or dog at home

Gemma White

February 10, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

While most of us are content to have a cat, dog or hamster at home, there are always those for whom the idea of a pet is a little more outside the box.

Here in the UAE, we've become accustomed to seeing people posting photos of monkeys or even big cats. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, often shares photos of giraffes on his Instagram account.

Over in Hollywood, Salma Hayek posts regularly about her pet owl, while Reese Witherspoon's donkey, named Honky, has become very popular on her Instagram page.

One of the most famous owners of a slightly different pet was George Clooney, who had Max the potbellied pig for 18 years in the 1990s and 2000s, calling their bond: "My longest relationship to date."

“When Max is hungry, he lumbers over to the front door and lies down lengthwise over the welcome mat, completely blocking the entrance,” Clooney said of his pet, who he had originally bought for his girlfriend, the late Kelly Preston, who would go on to marry John Travolta. “He then grunts and squeals until someone brings him breakfast.”

Having plenty of land certainly helps if you're looking to own something bigger than a tortoise, and Peppermint actress Jennifer Garner's Oklahoma farm is the perfect place for her cows – "the lawnmowers", as she calls them – and her many chickens.

Stars have long surrounded themselves with animals that wouldn't be traditionally considered pets, with Breakfast at Tiffany's star Audrey Hepburn favouring a pet deer. Actress Melanie Griffith, meanwhile, famously grew up with lions at home, thanks to her mother, Tippi Hedren, who not only helped rescue big cats, but then kept them as pets on her land.

Tori Spelling admits that her house is a "zoo", and she's not just referring to her five children. With numerous dogs and pigs living at her Hidden Hills mansion in California, the Beverly Hills 90210 star also has a bearded dragon wandering around the house.

And proof that he might be tough on the outside, but he’s soft as marshmallow on the inside, action star Arnold Schwarzenegger regularly shares snaps of his donkey, Lulu, and miniature pony, Whiskey, joining him at the breakfast table for snacks.

Scroll through the gallery for some more of the stars most out-of-the-ordinary pets. 

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Wonka
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Paul%20King%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ETimothee%20Chalamet%2C%20Olivia%20Colman%2C%20Hugh%20Grant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure' ​​​​
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse

Match info

Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.5-litre%20V12%20and%20three%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C015hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C500Nm%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Early%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh2%20million%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kareem Shaheen on Canada

TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel

Results:

6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed

7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes

8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor

9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m​​​ | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neo%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20February%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abhishek%20Shah%20and%20Anish%20Garg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delta%20Corp%2C%20Pyse%20Sustainability%20Fund%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
World Sevens Series standing after Dubai

1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia

Inside Palestine-Israel
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)

Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE

Match is on BeIN Sports

THE LOWDOWN

Romeo Akbar Walter

Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher 

While you're here
Family