Qatar leads efforts to preserve endangered Houbara Bustard

Doha: Today, December 30, in observance of Gulf Wildlife Day, we highlight the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change s (MoECC) efforts to protect...

Doha: Today, December 30, in observance of Gulf Wildlife Day, we highlight the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s (MoECC) efforts to protect and preserve the Houbara Bustard, a "vulnerable" species in the animal kingdom.

The MoECC, through the External Reserves Office of the State, has made significant strides in breeding the Houbara Bustard. This includes the establishment of the Rawdat Al Faras Center for Houbara Breeding and several other breeding centres both in Qatar and abroad. 

Through breeding programmes and careful management, the Ministry is working to protect these birds from extinction. These efforts aim to reintroduce a number of Houbara Bustards into their natural habitats.

The MoECC remains committed to increasing the Houbara Bustard's population, recognizing its importance not only as an endangered species but also as a key symbol of Qatari heritage. 

Listed as "vulnerable" and in decline by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Houbara Bustard is also classified by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora & Fauna (CITES) as highly sensitive, with commercial trade of the birds strictly prohibited.