ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – International Fund for Houbara Conservation has introduced an enhanced assistance program for Emirati houbara breeders during ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi during ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi during ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi at ADNEC. The Houbara Breeders Support Program aims to assist existing breeding projects and those planning to establish new facilities. It provides specialized training, technical support, and access to expert breeding knowledge. Additionally, the initiative emphasizes animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management standards.
A structured registration and evaluation process has been implemented for breeders wishing to participate. Prospective applicants must undergo assessment before receiving the program’s endorsement. Registration alone does not guarantee acceptance, and participants are required to meet specific criteria beforehand. This process enables specialists to evaluate each candidate’s preparedness and identify areas where further training or technical help may be necessary.
Ekthar Wildlife Development will manage the program and oversee its scientific and technical aspects. Serving as a strategic partner for IFHC initiatives within the UAE and internationally, Ekthar supports the program’s implementation and coordinates services for participating breeders. The launch was announced at ADNEC during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
Comprehensive training enhances breeding standards
Breeders and their teams accepted into the program will benefit from specialized instruction provided by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. The courses and workshops will cover responsible houbara breeding, animal welfare practices, biosecurity protocols, and the management of breeding facilities. Training will also focus on operational techniques used in managed breeding programs. Those who complete the required courses can earn certificates, while ongoing technical guidance will be available throughout their participation.
Participants who meet the criteria may also be granted the right to use breeding birds after passing assessments and training modules. This support complements the educational and technical aspects of the program. The IFHC designed this initiative to give breeders access to knowledge developed through its extensive conservation efforts. It integrates breeder assessment, formal training, and continuous support into a unified participation framework.
Launch at ADIHEX marks a major milestone for the project
With over four decades of experience, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation has been involved in breeding, research, releases, and conservation programs for the species. Its work spans projects within the UAE and collaborations across the native range of the houbara. The new breeder initiative channels this expertise into a structured program tailored for private breeders, emphasizing clear welfare, biosecurity, and training standards.
Breeders can register via the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative platform or through the IFHC and Ekthar presence at ADNEC. The event takes place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from August 28 to September 6. Applicants must go through registration, assessment, and approval stages to qualify for participation. Once accepted, they can access training, technical guidance, and breeding birds under the program’s established terms.