Type of Organization

HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud International Foundation for Conservation and Development of Wildlife is a Not-For-Profit Foundation registered and based in the Kingdom of Morocco, dedicated to the protection of desert habitat, wildlife and desert traditions and related field and scientific research.

Location

Established in Agadir, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, 500 Km south of Casablanca, the Foundation has a captive Breeding Centre located near the City of Agadir, and a Breeding, Research and Release Station near the City of Errachidia.

The city of Agadir was chosen as the site of the main captive breeding centre because of its microclimate which is ideal for an extended breeding season, while the city of Errachidia was selected as the Centre for Research and Release and recently breeding because it is the natural habitat of Houbara in the wild.

Support from the Kingdom of Morocco

The Foundation was honored in summer of 1997 to have HRH Moulay Rachid of Morocco and HRH Prince Faisal bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia officiate over the formal dedication and opening of the Foundation facilities in Agadir. Joining their Royal Highnesses were dignitaries from over 25 countries.

Facilities

Agadir Centre is a well planned breeding station equipped with outstanding captive breeding facilities, research and diagnostic laboratories, veterinary clinic and surgery, and molecular genetics laboratory. The Desert Research and Release Centre in Errachidia was built to combine captive breeding and conservation efforts with special emphasis on release of captive-bred Houbara into the desert to reinforce natural populations. The Foundation has also set up a Field Research station in the desert near Boudenib to facilitate ecological research, nest protection programs and post release monitoring of birds. While the Houbara bustard is the focus of the Foundation with commitment to an extensive release program employing the latest technology, academics and field researchers, the Foundation also provides technical and research support to other private and governmental organizations in Morocco, Saudi Arabia and other countries.