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Abu Dhabi, UAE – August 31st to September 8th, 2024 — The Mohammed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund (MBZRCF) is thrilled to announce its participation in the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX).

This is one of the largest and most prestigious exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates. It is an annual event that celebrates and showcases various aspects of equestrian conservation, falconry, camping equipment, fourwheel drives, and other outdoor-related activities. ADIHEX brings together enthusiasts, professionals, and organizations from around the world to exhibit their products, share knowledge, and engage in discussions related to hunting, equestrian activities, and wildlife conservation. The exhibition serves as a platform for promoting sustainable practices and cultural heritage, while also highlighting advancements and achievements in these fields.

The MBZRCF is proud to present its impressive accomplishments from the past year, underscoring its dedication to raptor conservation globally. With one in five raptor species threatened with extinction, our mission has never been more urgent.

The Fund operates on four key pillars of conservation: species conservation, scientific research, global partnerships, and developing conservation leadership. These pillars drive the Fund’s mission to achieve transformative conservation results and deliver tangible outcomes on the ground.

In Mongolia, the Fund has successfully mitigated power lines to protect 18,000 raptor species annually from electrocution. By mitigating 27,000 power poles, the Fund has achieved a remarkable 95% reduction in bird electrocutions. Additionally, the artificial nest project has been a resounding success, producing 25,000 young Saker falcons in the wild since the deployment of 5,000 artificial nest sites in the Mongolian steppes in 2010.

In collaboration with Green Balkans, the MBZRCF has been instrumental in captive breeding and releasing Saker falcons in Bulgaria. Over the past four years, 84 wild birds have been released, contributing to the establishment of four sustainable breeding pairs in the wild, where these birds were previously extinct.

Partnering with The Peregrine Fund, the MBZRCF is investigating the impacts of climate change on the gyrfalcon, the largest falcon in the world threatened by a warming planet. This project highlights the Fund’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges.

In Mozambique, with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, the Fund is dedicated to safeguarding Gorongosa National Park as the largest stronghold for the critically endangered white-headed vulture. By tagging and deploying satellite transmitters on these vultures, the Fund aims to understand threats and movement patterns to create a science-driven conservation and action plan whilst developing local capacity for conservation in Mozambique.

The MBZRCF is collaborating with the Philippine Eagle Foundation to protect the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. This June, two birds were successfully released from Mindanao to Leyte, marking the first-ever translocation of Philippine Eagles outside Mindanao. The Fund has committed three years of funding to bolster populations on Leyte.

In partnership with The Corbett Foundation, the Fund is monitoring Indian vulture populations, providing training on monitoring techniques, and developing local capacity in vulture conservation.

Locally, the Fund has collaborated with Miral, Aldar School, and Viya Gulf to deploy artificial nest boxes for kestrels in Abu Dhabi. This pilot project has yielded promising results, that will provide a platform to inspire the United Arab Emirates’ youth in raptor conservation and awareness.

His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Ahmed AlQubaisi, Managing Director of the MBZRCF, shared his thoughts on the Fund’s work: “Our mission is to ensure that raptor species around the world are not only protected but thrive in their natural habitats. By working together with our global partners, we are turning the tide for these magnificent birds. ADIHEX provides us with a platform to share our successes and inspire others to join us in our conservation efforts.”

As a young organization in the raptor conservation arena, the Mohammed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund is committed to making a significant impact on raptor conservation worldwide. We invite everyone to visit our booth at ADIHEX 2024 to learn more about our projects and achievements. Join us in celebrating the incredible progress we have made and our ongoing efforts to protect these magnificent birds of prey.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Mohamed Almheiri
Mohammed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund
info@mbzraptorfund.org