IFHC Takes Species Conservation To New Audiences With First Houbara Museum In Saudi Arabia

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation, (IFHC), the global leader in proactive species conservation, has joined forces with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qassim Region to launch a houbara museum, in a UAE-Saudi partnership that spreads awareness of the vulnerable bustard and the need to preserve and conserve the emblematic species.

His Highness Prince Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Saud, Governor of the Al-Qassim Region, inaugurated the permanent houbara museum and the Houbara Guidance Centre in Al Qassim Park, the Kingdom’s first installation dedicated to the conservation of the houbara bustard.

The museum is designed to raise awareness of the houbara and the need to preserve and conserve the species and its natural habitats for future generation, in line with the Fund’s efforts to ensure the species has a sustainable future in the wild through effective and appropriate conservation.

The launch of the museum marked the culmination of Al Qassim region’s first Environment Week and the inauguration celebrations included the release of 18 captive-bred houbara into the wild.

Commenting on installation of the museum, His Excellency Majid Al Mansouri, IFHC’s Managing Director expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE,  and the Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for his support for the houbara breeding and release programme across the the species’ migratory range, from Mauritania in north-west Africa to Mongolia in east Asia.

His Excellency Al Mansouri expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces and the Chairman of the IFHC for his continued support and guidance to launch the establishment of protected areas, intensifying efforts and strengthening international cooperation to preserve the houbara.

Ali Mubarak Al Shamsi, from the Education and Communication Department at IFHC, added: “This partnership with Al Qassim region underlines the Fund’s international vision to increase and maintain the wild houbara populations through effective intervention and exceptional leadership in the conservation of species, and to raise awareness of the importance of houbara in maintaining a stable and balanced ecosystem.”

“I’d like to thank the commitment of His Highness Prince Faisal and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their commitment and support in spreading awareness of the houbara species and the need to ensure its future,” he added.

Al Shamsi added that the Fund will spare no effort in exchanging its extensive experiences with strategic partners in promoting a sustainable ecosystem.