The picture of a Nile crocodile in Dubai Creek was not taken by a tourist. It is part of an art series by Richard Allenby-Pratt. Supplied by Richard Allenby-Pratt
The picture of a Nile crocodile in Dubai Creek was not taken by a tourist. It is part of an art series by Richard Allenby-Pratt. Supplied by Richard Allenby-Pratt
The picture of a Nile crocodile in Dubai Creek was not taken by a tourist. It is part of an art series by Richard Allenby-Pratt. Supplied by Richard Allenby-Pratt
The picture of a Nile crocodile in Dubai Creek was not taken by a tourist. It is part of an art series by Richard Allenby-Pratt. Supplied by Richard Allenby-Pratt

Facts behind crocodile lurking in Dubai Creek


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DUBAI // There are no crocodiles in Dubai Creek. Nor are there any kangaroos in Business Bay nor lions in Media City.

Digitally altered images of all three scenarios were, however, made by artist Richard Allenby-Pratt for a photographic series entitled "Abandoned". The series is being exhibited at Al Serkal Avenue in Dubai.

The image of the crocodile was lifted yesterday, possibly from Allenby-Pratt's website, and circulated to local media by a practical joker claiming to be a British tourist, "Edward Jones".

He claimed he had photographed the animal while on holiday in Dubai. "My impression was that it was a crocodile, and my pictures appear to confirm this," his email read.

The photograph appeared in print in a local publication today, but online readers were quick to point out the picture had been faked.

"A Nile crocodile will not survive one day in our waters," said Dr Reza Khan, a wildlife and zoo expert at Dubai Municipality. "Half a million years ago there were crocodiles here, but these days Iran and UAE coastlines are not suitable waters for crocodiles."

Dr Khan added that the west of Odisha province in India is the closest crocodile habitat to the UAE. "They shouldn't publish these stories without any verification and cause total panic."

Allenby-Pratt said he was amused by the news at first, but has since become concerned it might cost him his exhibition.

"I got a text from a friend about it this morning and I went to check it out on my computer. I thought it was funny. I even posted a link to it on my Facebook page. But then it started going viral, so I wrote [to the paper] and told them this was a hoax.

"I was concerned that the authorities might be panicking and that there might be repercussions," he said. "I really hope someone doesn't decide that my pictures are a problem and I end up having to take the exhibition down."

Allenby-Pratt said he did not set up the stunt himself. "I have nothing to do with this. I don't even know who this Edward Jones is. I suspect he may have taken the picture from my website or even visited the exhibit and photographed the picture."

The idea for the "Abandoned" project was to juxtapose Dubai's rapid growth and prominence with economic and environmental sustainability. The earliest image in the project was taken in 2002 and the most recent just last year.

"This is about promoting sustainable economy rather than sustainable growth, which is kind of an oxymoron," he said.

"When I first exhibited this project I was a little concerned it might be badly received or misunderstood, but I've heard nothing but good responses to it. I really hope that there was no inconvenience or distress caused by this hoax."

malkhan@thenational.ae

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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

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Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
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