UAE releases 93 endangered falcons into the wild in Kazakhstan

UAE releases 93 endangered falcons into the wild in Kazakhstan Staff Reporter / 24 June 2013 The UAE, under the Shaikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme (SZFRP), has released 93 endangered falcons this year in Kazakhstan. This takes the number of the bird of the culturally emblematic birds released into their natural habitat in the wild, since the programme started in 1995, to 1,554, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) said in a statement. The programme, under the patronage of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is now in its 19th successive year and indications are that the numbers of falcons in the wild are growing as a result of the work being done by Abu Dhabi to restore a bird crucial to local heritage, the statement said. The first falcon release programme, under the directives of late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan, was launched in Pakistan’s Balochistan province with 100 birds of prey, all tagged for identification and tracking. After another release again in Balochistan, the third was launched in Pakistan’s Northern Area of Gilgit-Baltistan and then a large number of releases in Central Asia, particularly the Kazakh region. This year’s release carried out from May 16-18 included a total number of 46 Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and 47 Saker falcons (Falco cherrug) in Kurchum, Eastern Kazakhstan for the fifth consecutive year. “In the words of our father, the late Shaikh Zayed, our ancestors left us a legacy of traditions we are proud of. Our mission is to maintain and develop them as assets of the nation for future generations. Abu Dhabi’s work to preserve this cultural icon is both unified and international and reflects our commitment in making a real difference to both global conservation and for the preservation of our culture,” said Mohammed Al Bowardi, Managing Director of EAD. The Republic of Kazakhstan is an ideal location to release falcons due to its mountains and plains situated within the falcons’ migration range (that spreads through Russia, China, and Mongolia). Out of the 93 falcons, five Peregrine falcons and five Saker falcons were fitted with solar battery-powered satellite transmitters to monitor their flight paths and to gather scientific data about their survival rates. The programme uses cutting-edge technology to study the migration patterns of falcons, which inform the breeding and releases of falcons to provide a better chance for the birds’ survival. On-site observation and continuous monitoring through SZFRP have indicated the programme is increasing the number of falcons in the wild in Kazakhstan. “This research helps us spread awareness amongst the locals in the release areas in Kazakhstan. Falconers visit universities and schools and appear on Kazakh TV stations to show videos about releasing falcons and talk about falcons and falconry. By spreading the conservation message of this programme and getting local people to help the local government, we have a better chance of protecting these falcons,” added Al Bowardi This year, the UAE delegation for the releases included Dr Mugheer A Khaili, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council and a member of the Board of International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC). Al Bowardi, who is also Deputy Chairman of IFHC, added the programme shows the UAE’s commitment to protecting falcons and their prey, and is a continuation of the country’s efforts to preserve other endangered species, such as the Asian Houbara, which is the preferred prey of falconers. “By releasing them into the wild in their normal habitat, we give them the chance to reproduce and for populations to expand. This in its turn will help sustain the culture and heritage of falconry which has been important for thousands of years,” he explained. news@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International