In 2005, Wadi El-Hitan (Valley of the Whales), located within the protected area, was nominated by UNESCO-WHC as the first Egyptian Natural World Heritage Site, for its contents of the 40 million years-old whale skeletons, which is recording the story of whales’ evolution (from land to ocean-based animals). According to IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Valley of the Whales is the most significant site in the world to demonstrate the evolution of whales.