The Dean

Just back from a long weekend there (with a very long drive at each end - it's not far short of the Saudi border).

Not a bad break, although the hotel itself needs a new coat of paint, but they have a huge wildlife park there. Accompanied by a sort of game warden person, you drive through a gate, Jurassic Park style, and off you go in your jeep.

I felt a bit uncomfortable though to see live gazelles etc left in the cheetah enclosures ('the cheetahs have to retain their hunting instincts' said the guide)........... round every corner, you half-expected to see a tethered goat left out for the velociraptors.........

http://desertislands.anantara.com/

Blue Cat

ooh don't fancy that

OleJanx

Sounds a little bit disconcerting, to say the least...

Boomhauer

Those Cheetahs are going to be released into the wild at some point in the near future? Seems rather unlikely , and if the Cheetah program is meant to release the cats in the wilds of Africa, then why is the preserve in the GCC?

OleJanx

If they were going to be released in the GCC, you can guarantee that some wasta assisted moron would shoot them.

Alexa

Or take them as pets...until the guy actually caring for them (being shit scared constantly of being eaten) leaves the gate open and they escape...has actually happened here not too long ago.

You can still see a cheetah being ferried around on the driver seat of a Cruiser though.

The Dean

Yeah........... the game warden was commenting on how "tameable" cheetahs are....... I came away with decidedly mixed feelings about the place actually.

Autonomy

I friend was slightly mauled by a - so called - tame young cheetah outside of Lamcy a few years ago. An Emirati guy had it on a leash and mate asked if he could have a look / pet it - the cheetah proceeded to destroy his suit and left him needing some first aid...

pauldxb

and what happened.... if anything

littlejimmy

Auto's friend was probably deported for touching a cheetah and the cheetah drove off in a new Land Cruiser.

Bahtatboy

See, I said they were cool cars.

Alexa

Only one worth to be seen in...cheetah or local.....

Bahtatboy

Some cougars look good in them.

Alexa

How do you know? Aren't they usually wrapped in black?
Of course, one can always admire wrists, sunglasses and lipstick.....

Bahtatboy

Actually its the local cougars in white Merc G-Wagons who are the most alluring. White and black with a flash of red...