ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – The International Fund for Houbara Conservation has announced a new support scheme for Emirati houbara breeders during ADIHEX 2026. Known as the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative, it aims to assist existing breeding operations and those planning to establish new facilities. The program provides specialized training, technical support, and access to experienced breeding expertise. It also establishes standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management of breeding sites.
A formal registration and evaluation process will now be required for breeders wishing to join the program. Prospective participants must undergo an assessment prior to receiving final approval. Registration alone does not ensure acceptance, and applicants must satisfy the initiative’s criteria to qualify for support. This process enables experts to evaluate each applicant’s readiness and identify areas where additional training or technical aid might be necessary.
Ekthar Wildlife Development will be responsible for implementing the program and managing its scientific and technical aspects. The organization acts as a strategic partner for IFHC’s projects, centers, and initiatives both within the UAE and internationally. Its duties include facilitating practical implementation and coordinating services for participating breeders. The program was launched at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
Targeted training elevates breeding practices
Selected breeders and their teams will gain access to specialized training delivered by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. The curriculum includes courses and workshops on ethical houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity protocols, and facility management. The training also emphasizes operational procedures used in managed breeding operations. Participants who complete the courses will receive certificates, and experts will continue offering technical support throughout their participation in the program.
Participants who meet the criteria may also be eligible to receive breeding birds through a right-to-use arrangement after passing assessments and training requirements. This support complements the educational and technical assistance components of the initiative. IFHC designed the program to leverage knowledge accumulated through its extensive conservation efforts. It combines breeder evaluation, formal training, and ongoing support within a unified framework for participation.
ADNEHEX serves as the launch venue for the program
With over forty years of experience, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation has engaged in breeding, research, release, and conservation initiatives for the species. Its efforts have spanned projects within the UAE and collaborative efforts across the species’ native range. The new breeder-focused initiative applies this extensive expertise to a structured program targeting private breeders, emphasizing key welfare, biosecurity, and training standards.
Breeders can sign up via the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative portal or through IFHC and Ekthar’s presence at ADIHEX 2026. The event is hosted at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from August 28 to September 6. After registering, applicants must go through an assessment process before receiving final approval. Qualified breeders will then be able to access training, technical support, and eligible breeding birds under the program’s established terms of participation.