In line with the Sheikh Khalifa resettlement programme for Houbara of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, based in Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, has released 80 Asian Houbara Bustards in Al Marzoum area, Abu Dhabi.
He commended the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the follow-up by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on the efforts to preserve the Houbara.
"The release of the Houbara marks the opening of the 2015 programme for the implementation of the UAE's strategy to resettle them, based on the vision of the founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to restore them in the wild," Sheikh Hamdan said.
He added that the strategy for the resettlement of the bustards in the UAE, the Arabian Peninsula and other countries is implemented wherever these birds are spread within the centres of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, whose Board of Directors is chaired by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Hamdan said that the Fund has made great progress in the development of breeding techniques and production of a large surplus of birds to release them into the wild inside the UAE and abroad.
He added that the release of the Houbara in the UAE, is an important part of Abu Dhabi's strategy, based on the vision, insight and leading initiatives launched by the late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to maintain the falconry, and focus on the identification and evaluation of appropriate environments for the bird, and monitor their numbers along with their natural spread in Asia.
He praised the efforts of the International Fund to preserve and protect the Houbara and its heritage, as well as maintain their diversity and pure genetic origins through co-operation with other countries, and regional and international organisations, increase their numbers through breeding in captivity and releasing them to their habitat.
The event was attended by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Mohammed Hamad bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Court of Ruler's Representative in Western Region, Sultan bin Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Representative of Ruler in the Western Region and Mohammed Saleh Al Baidani, Director-General of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation along with other senior officials.