Endangered birds: Sheikh Hamdan does his bit to conserve bustard species

Crown prince of Dubai procured about 200 houbara bustards to be set free in friendly habitats of parks in Pakistan.

The terrestrial bird species of houbara bustard are native to dry lands of South, and severely endangered owing to unchecked hunting practices.

In the past, Arab Sheikhs have been blamed for targeting these bird species in Pakistan. However, recently, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai, in his latest campaign to protect the endangered species of wildlife in Pakistan, has procured about 200 houbara bustards to be set free in friendly habitats of parks in Pakistan, including the Kirthar National Park lying between Karachi and Dadu, and the Hingol National Park which lies on the Makran coast.

This would not only help in conserving these species but also help in their breeding, thus increasing their numbers, and helping the species recover from endangerment.



It is reported that these birds were actually recovered from a local market where these illegally poached endangered species are discreetly available for sale, at a price for Rs50,000 for each bird.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum has been actively engaged in the promotion of wildlife conservation in Pakistan with special emphasis on endangered species like the houbara bustard.



When contacted, the Sheikh’s spokesman passionately talked about the importance of conservation of wildlife and His Highness’s continued commitment to the cause and future plans.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2013.