ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – The International Fund for Houbara Conservation has introduced a fresh assistance scheme for Emirati houbara breeders during ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi at ADNEC during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, ADIHEX 2026. The Houbara Breeders Support Initiative is designed to serve existing breeding operations and those planning to develop new facilities, providing specialized training, technical expertise, and access to experienced breeders. It also establishes standards concerning animal well-being, biosecurity measures, and responsible management practices for breeding facilities.
Participation in this program requires prospective breeders to undergo a formal registration process coupled with an assessment, where applicants are evaluated before receiving definitive approval. Registration alone does not ensure acceptance, as participants must demonstrate compliance with the initiative’s criteria prior to obtaining support. This evaluation allows specialists to gauge each applicant’s preparedness and identify areas where further training or technical support may be necessary.
Ekthar Wildlife Development will be responsible for managing the scheme and supervising its scientific and technical elements. The organization acts as a strategic partner for IFHC’s initiatives, projects, and centers both within the UAE and internationally. Its tasks include facilitating the practical execution of the program and coordinating the services provided to participating breeders. The program’s launch coincided with the event at ADNEC.
Comprehensive training promotes breeding excellence
Breeders and their teams accepted into the scheme will participate in specialized training provided by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy, encompassing courses and workshops that focus on responsible houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity protocols, and the management of breeding facilities. The training will also cover operational practices relevant to managed breeding programs. Upon completing the required courses, participants may receive certificates, and ongoing technical guidance will be available throughout their engagement with the initiative.
Participants who meet the criteria may also be granted access to breeding birds through a right to use agreement after passing assessments and training modules. This support complements the program’s educational and technical assistance elements, which are designed to provide breeders with knowledge derived from IFHC’s extensive conservation efforts. The initiative combines breeder evaluation, formal instruction, and continuous support within a unified participation framework.
ADIHEX acts as the platform for unveiling the scheme
With over forty years of experience, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation has engaged in breeding, research, release, and conservation activities, both within the UAE and across the species’ native range through collaborative efforts. The newly established breeder support scheme aims to translate this technical expertise into a structured program targeting private breeders, emphasizing key requirements related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and education. It underscores the importance of adhering to defined standards for participation.
Interested breeders can register through the Houbara Breeders Support Initiative platform or by connecting with IFHC and Ekthar representatives during ADIHEX 2026, held at ADNEC from August 28 to September 6. Candidates must progress from initial registration to assessment stages before gaining final acceptance. Qualified applicants will then be eligible to access training, technical support, and breeding birds according to the initiative’s established participation conditions.