ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – The International Fund for Houbara Conservation has introduced a fresh support program for Emirati houbara breeders during ADIHEX 2026. The Houbara Breeders Support Initiative is designed to assist existing houbara production operations and those intending to start new breeding facilities. This program provides specialized training, technical support, and access to experienced breeding experts. It also establishes standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible facility management.
Participation in the initiative requires breeders to undergo a formal registration and assessment process. Applicants must complete an evaluation before receiving final approval from the program. Registration alone does not ensure acceptance, and participants must meet the set criteria to qualify for support. This process enables specialists to evaluate each applicant’s readiness and identify areas where additional training or technical support may be needed.
Ekthar Wildlife Development will manage the program and oversee its scientific and technical elements. As a strategic partner for IFHC projects, centers, and initiatives both within the UAE and internationally, Ekthar plays a key role in supporting the program’s operational delivery and coordinating services for participating breeders. The official launch occurred during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Comprehensive training enhances breeding standards
Selected breeders and their teams will benefit from expert instruction provided by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. The courses and workshops will address responsible houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity, and the management of breeding facilities. The training will also cover operational techniques used in managed breeding programs. Those who complete the necessary courses can earn certificates, while ongoing technical guidance will be available throughout their participation in the program.
Participants who pass the assessments and complete the training may also be eligible to receive breeding birds under a right to use agreement. This support complements the program’s educational and technical assistance components. IFHC designed the initiative to give breeders access to knowledge derived from its extensive houbara conservation efforts. The program integrates breeder assessment, structured instruction, and continuous support into a unified participation model.
ADIHEX offers a platform for launching the program
With over forty years of experience, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation has been involved in breeding, research, releases, and conservation initiatives related to the houbara. Its efforts include projects within the UAE and collaborations across countries within the species’ natural habitat. The new breeder-focused initiative channels this extensive expertise into a structured program tailored for private sector participants. It emphasizes clear welfare, biosecurity, and training standards as fundamental requirements for engagement.
Breeders can register via the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative platform or through the IFHC and Ekthar booths at ADIHEX 2026. The event runs at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from August 28 to September 6. Applicants must complete the registration and assessment process to gain final acceptance into the program. Approved participants will then be able to access training, technical support, and breeding birds under the program’s established terms.