Government of Morocco
Ministry of Territory Development, Water and Environment, Morocco
Mohammed V Solidarity Foundation
Mohammed VI Humanitarian and Education Foundation

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Ministry of Culture & Information
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City www.humanitariancity.org.sa
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Science & Technology Center
National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development
Prince Sultan Bin AbdulAziz International Prize for Water
Prince Sultan Research Center for Environment, Water & Desert
The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development

Conservation resources:

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The World Conservation Union
BirdLife International
World Wide Fund
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
The Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife
Arabian Oryx Project

Aviculture www.ovo-site.net and www.avicampus.fr

Life Style Projet: in partnership with University of North Carolina ( on the National News )

Houbara in captive breeding :

Annual Reports

• IFCDW Review: 1993-1996. Eds, J Deag and J Savory.
• IFCDW Annual Report: 1997. Eds, RJG Dawson and C Lindsay.
• IFCDW Annual Report: Volume 2: 1998-1999. Ed, RJG Dawson.

Conference Presentations, Posters, Round Table Discussions

• Korrida A, Jadallah S.J, Izaabel H and Benhissoune S. (Oral communication). Genetic diversity analysis of the natural populations of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk) in Agadir bay: Assessment of the molecular polymorphism and environmental impact. 4th International conference on Genetics, Molecular Biologie and Biotechnology, 06-08 November 2008, Ouarzazate, Morocco.
• Korrida A, McCormick P, Idaghdour Y and Chbel F (Poster). Houbara bustard captive breeding : Conservation genetics studies on avian species. 3d Congress of the Moroccan Society of Genetics and Molecular Biology, 18-20 December 2003, Tangiers, Morocco.
• Chbel F, Korrida K and Idaghdour Y (Talk) L’étude du polymorphisme des loci microsatellites chez l’outarde Houbara et leur utilisation en génétique des populations et de conservation. 1st North African Biotechnology Symposium, 15-18 December 2002, Hammamet, Tunisia.
• Korrida A, McCormick P, Idaghdour Y and Chbel F (Poster) Houbara bustard captive breeding : Conservation genetics studies on avian species. 1st North African Biotechnology Symposium, 15-18 December 2002, Hammamet, Tunisia.
• Dawson B, McCormick P, Jones C, Hartley PS and Wishart GJ (Poster). Captive breeding of Houbara bustards: Success of artificial insemination. 2nd Congress of the Moroccan Society of Genetics and Molecular Biology, 23-25 November 2000, Fes, Morocco.
• Dawson B, McCormick P, Jones C, Hartley PS and Wishart GJ (Poster) Captive Breeding of Houbara Bustards: Success of Artificial Insemination. 22nd International Ornithological Congress, 16-22 August 1998, Durban, South Africa.
• Round Table Discussion: Bird Re-Introductions Bob Dawson, Lubomir Peske 22nd International Ornithological Congress, 16-22 August 1998, Durban, South Africa Round Table Discussion: Inventory of Ornithological Research in Africa.
• Bob Dawson, 22nd International Ornithological Congress, 16-22 August 1998, Durban, South Africa
  Spontaneous Meeting of Bustard Research Workers.
• Bob Dawson, Lubomir Peske, 22nd International Ornithological Congress, 16-22 August 1998, Durban, South Africa.
• Elevage en Captivité de l’Outarde Houbara: succès, limites et prospectives (Talk).
• Séminaire International LIFE Nature: Outarde canepetière No. 2
• Bob Dawson, 4-6 Décembre 1998, Saint-Martin de Crau (Bouches-du-Rhône)

Field studies

In its promotion of the scientific research in Morocco, the Foundation sponsored partially a research study on Fisheries and is now working in collaboration on an International project on carnivores.

Nest protection scheme:
IFCDW has for several years embarked on a dedicated program to protect Houbara nests in the desert during the breeding months. This program is implemented with the help of local Bedouins and staff employed for the purpose. All identified nests of Houbara in the desert are marked, documented and constantly monitored to ensure successful hatch. This program is aimed at preventing poaching of eggs and trapping of birds during the breeding season. A lot of scientific data are also gathered during the process that could help in the protection and conservation of Houbara.

Release and reinforcement of natural populations:
A key mission of IFCDW is the release of captive-bred Houbara bustards into the wild to reinforce natural populations. The first release of birds took place in the summer of 1997 under the sponsorship of HRH Prince Faisal Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and attended by important dignitaries from Morocco and other countries. Release of Houbara in to the wild has been a continuous process ever since contributing to the development of sustainable populations.
With the establishment of modern facilities for release in Errachidia, it is now possible to monitor released birds and perform much needed ecological studies to develop a stronger and more cohesive framework for their conservation. Utilizing both land and satellite monitoring of the movement of birds, several studies were published confirming not only the survivability of captive-bred birds in the wild, but their ability to successfully breed,  travel distances and cohabitate with the wild flocks.

Genetics lab:
The Genetics laboratory was created to contribute to the management of the Houbara bustard captive breeding flock. It is equipped with instrumentation for genetic analyses on nucleic acids including PCR machines and a Li-Cor 4200L automated DNA sequencer. Additional equipment includes gel electrophoresis apparatuses, shaker-incubator, DNAQuant machine, and centrifuges. The laboratory also has hoods for general DNA extraction and PCR reactions in a separate room. The computer/meeting area consists of a computer/library room with several PCs loaded with genetic analysis packages, and a meeting area that can accommodate up to 10 people. The Genetics laboratory participates also in the training and education of nationals and international students and staff.

Data management:
The Foundation has a professionally managed IT unit to organize, classify and process the large amounts of scientific data generated throughout the captive breeding program. The unit has developed user friendly software for efficient data collection and management. All input data are centrally stored, processed and made available to all departments through a network of computers. This system specifically allows for a detailed view of the breeding progress ensuring coordination and data sharing, prompt reporting and immediate identification of deficiencies and problems.

Feed production unit:
IFCDW has developed special formulae for compound feed to meet the dietary requirements of Houbara in different stages of production and growth. A 1.5 tonne capacity feed plant provides extruded feed throughout the year. Additionally, mealworms are grown in specialized rooms to supplement the main diet.

The founder stock was obtained in 1993 under a license to harvest eggs from the wild. 153 eggs were collected, resulting in 138 chicks that were transferred to the captive breeding centre in Agadir. The 1995 breeding season gave the first indications of the success of production and breeding techniques, with 29 females laying 169 eggs. The 1996 season again confirmed the success of adopted breeding techniques with the production of 309 chicks which were retained for future breeding. Over the years the breeding centre in Agadir has consistently produced 1,000-1,500 birds annually. The breeding station now holds 325 layers and 125 breeder males. The Desert Release and Research Station in Errachidia also began organized captive breeding and production in 2006, reaching a production of 500 chicks in 2009 from 85 layers and 50 breeder males.

Breeding program:
The production team is formed of well-trained Moroccan nationals to manage every aspect of breeding and rearing of Houbara. The breeding procedure starts with the collection of semen from trained male birds by skilled keepers using a dummy. Under captive conditions, male birds display courtship behaviour between December and June.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the semen is performed immediately after collection. A minimum insemination dose of 10 million sperms is prepared for artificially insemination of receptive females. The sperms are deposited intravaginally using a specially designed micropipette and cloacal retractor forceps.
Eggs are laid between January and June in captivity. The clutch size varies from 2-4 eggs and clutch interval between 6-15 days. Successful artificial incubation and hatching of houbara eggs requires extreme skill and in-depth knowledge of individual egg characteristics. IFCDW uses in-house developed incubation machines and commercial small incubators to meet the specific requirements of the developing embryo. A fertility rate of 85% and hatchability rate of 75% has been achieved over the years.

Rearing system:
Houbara chicks are semi-precocial requiring warmth and assisted feeding for the first few weeks of life. Caring for young chicks is a skill that requires the “love for the bird” since staff must act as “surrogate mother” hand feeding and caring for young chicks until such time they can feed on their own. The care for the new breed is a constant and daily process. The Foundation has specially designed climate controlled nurseries and chick boxes to manage the brooding and rearing of chicks and juveniles. Formulated diets supplemented with crickets, mealworms and plant matter make up for most part of the food regimen. All chicks after six weeks of age are raised in Errachidia to adapt to natural desert environment to facilitate early release programs.
The breeding department is assisted by a team of professional veterinarians and well qualified geneticists and molecular biologists.

The Canary Islands support the endemic, non-migratory Canarian Houbara with populations of approximately 527 birds. On the adjacent African continent, the North African Houbara stretches from Mauritania and the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco through to western Egypt. The North African Houbara is non-migratory but carries on seasonal movements and their number was estimated in 1997 at approximately 10 000 birds, most of which occur in Morocco and Algeria. The Nile valley is believed to separate this form from the Asian Houbara of which the numbers were estimated in 1997 at 39 –52 000 birds distributed from the Middle East to the Mongolian plateau and Gobi desert.

Belonging to the Order Gruiformes and Family Otididae, Genus Chlamydotis is now divided into two species, the Macqueen’s Bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii (Asian species) and the Houbara Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata (predominantly in North Africa and Canary Islands). The dividing line between the two species is the Sinai Peninsula. The North African subspecies is Chlamydotis undulata undulata, and the Canarian subspecies is Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae.
The North African Houbara is a medium sized bustard with adult males weighing between 1500 – 2400 g and females weighing between 1000-1400 g. They are omnivores and the diet is composed of invertebrates (40%) and plant material (60%). They prefer to walk or run away from disturbance rather than fly. North African Houbara bustard is sedentary or partially migratory moving relatively short distances in search of feed.
The Houbara bustard has declined considerably throughout its range in North Africa as a result of habitat destruction and hunting pressure. In view of this decline, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud International Foundation for Conservation and Development of Wildlife implemented in 1993 a large scale captive breeding program for the nominated subspecies together with a contingency recovery plan.

The houbara bustard is a rare shy bird adapted to arid conditions with little vegetation and found in stony and sandy desert and semi-desert regions. They are classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List 2004 because it has undergone rapid population declines over recent years due to unsustainable hunting levels and habitat degradation.
The species has a fascinating flamboyant courtship display described as a ‘Turkey riding a bicycle’! As the male struts around in full display white feathers on the head and around the throat emphasis the magnificence of his hidden plumage.

Board of Trustees:

H.E. Sheik Mohamed Bin Khalid Bin Hethlain, Chairman.
Sami Jamil Jadallah (BA, MPA and Juris Doctor), Trustee, Secretary General and Managing Director.

Administration and Management:

Mr. Lahsen Mourad, Director of Finance and Administration.
Mrs. Ftheme Houran, Executive Secretary, Manager of Human Resources and Administration.
Dr. Subhash Krishnan, Director of Breeding, Research and Training

The Foundation employs a large number of dedicated and professional staff to carry out works in breeding, research, conservation, maintenance, farming, landscaping, and manufacturing of all facilities and infrastructure.