ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – International Fund for Houbara Conservation has unveiled a fresh support scheme for Emirati houbara breeders during ADIHEX 2026. The Houbara Breeders Support Initiative is designed to assist current houbara cultivation projects as well as those planning to launch new breeding facilities. It provides specialized training, technical support, and access to proven breeding expertise. Additionally, the program stipulates standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management of facilities.
Participation in the program requires breeders to undergo a formal registration and evaluation process. Applicants must pass an assessment before they can be officially accepted. Registration alone does not guarantee entry; compliance with the initiative’s criteria is necessary to qualify for support. This process enables experts to evaluate each applicant’s preparedness and identify areas where further training or technical assistance may be beneficial.
Ekthar Wildlife Development will oversee the program’s implementation and its scientific and technical aspects. The organization acts as a strategic partner for IFHC projects, centers, and initiatives both within the UAE and internationally. Its responsibilities include facilitating the practical execution of the program and coordinating services for participating breeders. The launch event took place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
Specialized training enhances breeding practices
Selected breeders and their teams will benefit from expert instruction provided by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. Training sessions and workshops will focus on responsible houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity protocols, and the management of breeding facilities. The curriculum also covers operational procedures relevant to managed breeding programs. Upon completion of the necessary courses, participants can earn certificates, and ongoing technical guidance will be available throughout their involvement in the initiative.
Participants who meet the criteria may also be granted access to breeding birds through a right to use arrangement after passing assessments and completing training. This support complements the program’s educational and technical assistance elements. The initiative was crafted by IFHC to give breeders access to the knowledge generated from its extensive conservation efforts. It integrates breeder evaluation, formal instruction, and continuous support into a unified framework for participation.
ADIHEX serves as the launch platform for the new program
For more than forty years, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation has been involved in houbara breeding, research, release, and conservation efforts. Its work includes projects within the UAE and collaborations across countries within the species’ native habitat. The newly established breeder initiative leverages this extensive expertise into a structured program tailored for private sector participants. Emphasizing welfare, biosecurity, and training requirements, it ensures clear standards for involvement.
Breeders can enroll through the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative portal or via the IFHC and Ekthar representatives present at ADIHEX 2026. The event will be held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from August 28 to September 6. Applicants are required to move from registration to assessment before they are officially accepted. Qualified applicants will then gain access to training, technical support, and breeding birds in accordance with the program’s established terms of participation.