Organised by the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, the event brings together scientist and researchers from all over the world
Abu Dhabi: The International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), an organisation dedicated to the conservation of bustard species, is holding the inaugural conference of the IFHC Global Conservation Series from September 27 to 29.
The virtual event titled “Advanced Research in Bustard Ecology and Conservation”, brings together leading academics, scientists, researchers, and NGOs to discuss challenges encountered – and solutions adopted – in the conservation of bustards and their ecology. It will also provide a multidisciplinary platform for government officials, and researchers to exchange ideas and experiences and provide recommendations on the conservation of the bustard species.
“The landmark project has not just restored the Houbara population through its breeding programme, producing 629,000 houbaras, of which over 487,000 have been used for conservation actions,” said His Excellency Mohammed Saleh Al Baidani, Director General at the IFHC. “It has also inspired research work leading to more than 450 scientific communications, forged 140 scientific partnerships around the world, sponsored about 90 students pursuing masters and research in conservation, as well as creating internship opportunities for Emiratis, all of which have contributed to knowledge transfer and better conservation of the vulnerable species, which is nonetheless emblematic of Arab culture. Our activities and initiatives have resulted in the birth through artificial insemination of an Arabian bustard chick, marking a world-first for conservation.”
He explained that the research and conservation project had for example led to the discovery of the distinct migration corridors and timings of the Asian houbara populations from East Asia and Central Asia.
“This is an important outcome of our research programme. Based on studies such as these, we have developed the much-needed breeding and release protocols.”
Among the 26 species of bustard worldwide, knowledge on their ecology and conservation is strongly unbalanced, with few species benefiting from advanced research and effective conservation actions. All bustard species, even those not yet under concern, could benefit from sharing expertise.
The conference includes deliberations on topics comprising “Ecology and Behaviour”; “Breeding Biology and Captive Population Management” and “Population Demography”.
The speakers include Dr Nasir Mohd Sultan, Acting Assistant Undersecretary,
Biodiversity & Marine Life Sector; Mohamed Saleh Al Baidani, Director General of IFHC; Dr Yves Hingrat, Head of Research, International Wildlife Consultants (Reneco); Dr Loïc Lesobre, Head of Conservation Genetics, Reneco; Dr Vincent Bretagnole, Research Director, French National Centre for Scientific Research; Dr Jared Stadbach, Research Ecologist, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; Ms Inmaculada Abril-Colón, PhD candidate, Spanish National Museum of Natural Sciences; Dr Joseph Azar, Field Researcher Coordinator, Reneco; Prof. Manuel Morales of Autonomous University of Madrid; Prof. Mike Bruford, Dean for Environmental Sustainability, Cardiff University; Mr Robin Rabier, Ph.D. candidate, Reneco; Ms Albertien van Heerden Ph. D. candidate, Reneco; Dr. Mimi Kessler, Bird Conservation Coordinator at Indianapolis Zoo; Dr Sutirtha Dutta, wildlife conservationist, Wildlife Institute of India; Dr Gabriele Sorci, Research Director at French National Centre for Scientific Research; Christel Griffioen, Country Director, Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, Dr Joah Madden, Associate Professor, University of Exeter; Dr Janaina Torres Carreira, Reproduction Physiology Researcher, Reneco; Dr Julien Hirschinger, Project Manager at Veterinary and Agronomic Expertise Centre for Wild Animals; Dr Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland; Dr Enrico Sorato, ecology researcher at Reneco; Ms Alice Monnier Corbel, Ph. D. candidate, Reneco; Dr Stephanie Harris, postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University; Mr Asaf Mayrose, bioecological consultant, Dr Anne-Christine Monnet, postdoctoral researcher at French National Museum of Natural History; Prof. Juan Carlos Alonso, Research Professor at Spanish National Museum of Natural Sciences; Dr Peter Leimgruber, Conservation Ecology Center Head, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; Dr Michel Saint Jalme, Directeur de la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle; Prof. Jean Luc Guerin, Aviculture & Avian Medicine Professor at National Veterinary School of Toulouse; Prof. Guillaume Leloc’h, Associate Professor at National Veterinary School of Toulouse; Dr Clément Cornec, Co-founder, BioPhonia; Mr Ohad Hatzofe, Avian Ecologist at Israel Nature and Parks Authority; Dr Orin Robinson, Research Associate, Cornell University; Mr Alberto Ucero, Ph. D. candidate at Spanish National Museum of Natural Sciences; and Dr Nyambayar Batbayar, Director, Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia.
The conference offers an opportunity to strengthen connections among bustard scientists and conservationists and develop further international cooperation for securing the future of bustards.
About IFHC:
Established in 2006, IFHC was created to manage breeding and release programs across three countries including the UAE, Morocco and Kazakhstan. The organization was initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, under a clear mission: to reverse the declining Houbara population by creating the Abu Dhabi Houbara programme in the 1970s.
IFHC is backed by more than 40 years of knowledge, expertise, and success with a goal to maintain viable wild populations and secure a sustainable future for the houbara.
