Reza Khan
Dhaka
CURRICULUM VITAE MOHAMMAD ALI REZA KHAN, PhD Principal Wildlife Specialist Dubai Safari Park, Dubai Municipality Dubai, United Arab Emirates ________________________________________ PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Senior wildlife biologist, ornithologist, and conservation practitioner with over four decades of experience in wildlife research, zoo and protected area management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education across South Asia and the Middle East. Internationally recognised for contributions to ornithology, wildlife literature, Red List assessments, and public awareness on biodiversity. ________________________________________ EDUCATION • PhD in Zoology (Ornithology), University of Bombay, India, 1977 Advisor: Late Dr Salim Ali, Bombay Natural History Society, India • MSc in Zoology (Ornithology), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1970 Advisor: Prof. Kazi Zaker Husain, University of Dhaka ________________________________________ PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS • Life Member, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), India • Life Member, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh • Life Member, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh • Life Member, Bangladesh Zoological Society • Founder Member, Oriental Bird Club, United Kingdom ________________________________________ HONOURS AND AWARDS (Selected) • Bangla Academy Honorary Fellowship, 2023 • City Bank–Taurpallab Biodiversity Award, Bangladesh, 2022 • Lifetime Achievement Award, Shutterbug UAE, 2016 • Lifetime Achievement Award, The Daily Star, Bangladesh, 2016 • Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation, Bangladesh, 2010 • Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Award for Natural History & Biodiversity, UAE, 2001 • Salim Ali–Loke Wan Tho Ornithological Research Fellowship, BNHS, 1974–1977 • Bangladesh Bird Fair Research Award, 2006 ________________________________________ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Principal Wildlife Specialist Dubai Safari Park, Dubai Municipality 2015 – 1 October 2025 Wildlife Specialist Dubai Zoo & Proposed Dubai Safari Park 2009 – 2015 Head of Zoo Section (Equivalent to Zoo Director) Dubai Municipality 1989 – 2024 • Managed wildlife collections in Dubai Zoo, Safa & Mushrif Parks, and desert ecosystems • Conducted field research on UAE biodiversity • Led development of Wild Cats of the UAE and Indigenous Trees of the UAE Curator of Birds and Primates Al Ain Zoo & Aquarium, Abu Dhabi 1983 – 1989 • Managed 1,000+ birds, 200+ primates including great apes • Supervised 30 animal keepers and offshore island wildlife populations Academic Positions • Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Rajshahi University (1973) • Lecturer to Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka (1973–1988) ________________________________________ INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL CONSULTANCIES • Chief Technical Expert, IUCN Bangladesh Red List of Wildlife (2nd Edition), 2012–2015 • Resource Person, Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE), UAE, 2000–2025 o Awarded 10-Year UAE Blue Visa (February 2025) • Contributor to IUCN Red Listing processes in the UAE and Arabian Peninsula ________________________________________ PUBLICATIONS (Selected) Books – English • Birds of Dubai (Dubai Municipality, 2008; reprinted 2025) • Wild Cats of the United Arab Emirates (1998) • The Indigenous Trees of the United Arab Emirates (1999) Books – Bengali (Selected) • Bangladesher Pakhi (Bangla Academy, 2008; 2025) • Bangladesher Bonnyaprani (3 volumes, Bangla Academy) • Bangladesher Shap (Snakes of Bangladesh), Bangla Academy • Chiriakhana Babosthapana (Zoo Management), Bangla Academy Books Edited • Biodiversity of Tanguar Haor (IUCN, 2012) • Rediscovering the Sundarbans (2014) ________________________________________ SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC OUTREACH • Environmental TV and radio programmes, Bangladesh (1977–1983) • Regular contributor to newspapers and magazines in Bangladesh and the UAE (The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Gulf News, Khaleej Times, etc.) ________________________________________ AREAS OF EXPERTISE • Ornithology & Mammalogy • Wildlife & Zoo Management • Biodiversity Conservation & Red Listing • Environmental Education & Science Communication • Human–Wildlife Interaction • Policy Advice & Capacity Building
