A local environment agency is celebrating twenty years of its successful falcon release programme following the recent release of a record number of the iconic birds of prey.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) supervised the release of 99 Peregrine and 18 Saker falcons in Kazakhstan as part of the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme (SZFRP), the largest single-year release in the programme’s history.
“It was his passion for the natural world which inspired the late Sheikh Zayed to establish Abu Dhabi’s falcon release and captive breeding programme,” said HE Mohamed Al Bowardi, managing director EAD.
“That we are able to honour his legacy with this twentieth anniversary is due to the patronage and commitment of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of EAD. Their commitment means the SZFRP continues to fly high, both in terms of conservation and in the continued preservation of our cultural identity.”
Since the programme’s first release in 1995, 1,671 falcons have been returned to the wild in Pakistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
After years of monitoring, Kazakhstan has been acknowledged as having the best environment for a falcon’s survival after release, its mountains and plains providing an ideal habitat.
Before being released, the falcons, most of which were either donated to the programme or confiscated by local authorities due to violations of laws, undergo complete medical testing. The birds will have their wings, feathers and feet measured before being tagged with microchips at Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.
The released birds’ flight paths will be monitored to study migration patterns and rate of survival.
“Abu Dhabi is leading the way in conservation of falcons and the tradition of falconry; our pioneering approach is producing tangible success and providing a strong foundation for the future preservation of species in the wild,” added Al Bowardi.
