National Bird Research Centre Celebrates First Asian Houbara Chick Hatch Of 2025–2026 Breeding Season

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) has announced a significant achievement with the hatching of the first Asian houbara chick for the 2025–2026 breeding season. This event took place at the National Bird Research Center in Sweihan and aligns with the Fund's participation in the inaugural Al Ain International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2025.

Mohammed Al Matoua Al Dhaheri, Acting Director-General of IFHC, highlighted the importance of this year for Al Ain. The launch of the first edition of the Al Ain International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition is a notable event. It also represents a pivotal moment for the Fund as it engages with visitors who value nature and uphold the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who prioritised environmental protection and wildlife conservation.

The chick, which hatched on 20th November weighing 43 grammes, was given the identification number "M26N00001". Each chick receives a unique identifier to track its origin, lineage, age, laboratory test results, and other vital biological data. These records are crucial in minimising inbreeding, preventing genetic mixing between different populations, preserving genetic purity, and ensuring vitality for survival, breeding, migration, and sustainability of wild houbara populations.

Al Dhaheri expressed optimism about this early success in the 2025–2026 season. He noted that producing the first chick so early could lead to setting a new record at the National Bird Research Center. This follows last season's milestone of producing 100,000 houbara birds.

The history of houbara conservation in Abu Dhabi dates back to 1977 with the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Houbara Conservation Programme. This initiative eventually evolved into what is now known as the International Fund for Houbara Conservation. The first-ever houbara chick bred outside its natural habitat was recorded at Al Ain Zoo in 1982.

This achievement underscores ongoing efforts to conserve these birds while highlighting advancements made since those early days. The IFHC continues to play a vital role in ensuring that these birds thrive both in captivity and their natural habitats.

The successful hatching marks another step forward in conservation efforts aimed at sustaining wild houbara populations. By maintaining genetic diversity through meticulous record-keeping practices combined with strategic breeding programs like those implemented by IFHC at Sweihan’s National Bird Research Center—future generations can look forward to witnessing thriving populations across various regions worldwide.

With inputs from WAM