ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – The International Fund for Houbara Conservation has introduced a new assistance scheme for Emirati houbara breeders during ADIHEX 2026. The Houbara Breeders Support Initiative is designed to aid current houbara production efforts and those planning to set up new breeding sites. It provides specialized training, technical support, and access to established expertise in breeding. Additionally, the program mandates standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management of breeding facilities.
A structured registration and evaluation process has been established for breeders interested in participation. Applicants are required to undergo an assessment before being officially accepted into the program. While registration is a prerequisite, it does not guarantee participation, and breeders must meet specific criteria to qualify for support. This process enables specialists to evaluate each applicant’s preparedness and identify areas where additional 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 operational partner for IFHC projects, centers, and initiatives within the UAE and internationally, Ekthar will facilitate the program’s implementation and coordinate services for participating breeders. The launch event was held during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Training programs aim to uphold breeding standards
Participating breeders and their teams will benefit from specialized courses offered through Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. These sessions will focus on responsible houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity, and the management of breeding facilities. The curriculum will also include best practices for operational management within breeding programs. Those who successfully complete the courses can earn certificates, and ongoing technical support will be provided by specialists involved in the initiative.
Breeders meeting the eligibility criteria may also receive breeding birds through a right to use agreement after completing assessments and training. This support complements the educational and technical assistance elements of the program. The initiative was crafted by IFHC to give breeders access to knowledge accumulated through its extensive conservation efforts. It combines breeder evaluation, formal education, and continuous assistance within a unified participation framework.
ADIHEX serves as the launch platform for the new program
With over forty years of experience, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation has been involved in breeding, research, releases, and conservation initiatives for the species. Its efforts have spanned projects within the UAE and collaborative work across countries within the houbara’s native range. The new breeder support scheme brings this technical expertise into a structured format for private breeders, emphasizing welfare, biosecurity, and training as core participation requirements.
Breeders can sign up through the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative website or via the IFHC and Ekthar presence at ADIHEX 2026. The exhibition takes place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from August 28 to September 6. Applicants must proceed from registration to assessment before gaining final acceptance. Those who meet the criteria will then have access to training, technical guidance, and eligible breeding birds under the program’s established terms of participation.