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DNA to help ID gender of newborn houbara, falcon

ABU DHABI - The Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) has developed a new DNA-based method for sexing of houbara bustards and falcons.

The DNA based gender identification of newly hatched houbara bustards and falcons have been one of the most important achievements of the genetic facility, according to a report.

The annual ERWDA report said during 2003, a simple, rapid and inexpensive DNA preparation method for sexing houbara bustard using multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction) has been successfully developed.

"The method was applied successfully to sex 135 blood samples from houbara bustards produced by ERWDA captive breeding programme. The technique was also applied to sex 118 falcon samples from Pro Falcon, Al Ain, using feathers and egg shell membrane."

The report said ERWDA took many steps during year 2003 in breeding houbara in captivity and has become one of the leading centres in this field as the number of Houbara chicks being bred and reared increased.

During the year, the Wildlife Survey and Monitoring team carried out work on a number of projects and significant milestones were achieved, contributing towards the overall goal of wildlife conservation in Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Captive breeding of the houbara bustards continued successfully at ERWDA in 2003, on schedule with ERWDA's proposed management plan. The production of whit-bellied bustard was put on hold this year as no satisfying feedback from falconers was available regarding the adequacy of this species for replacing houbara for falcon training purpose.

Building enhancement was undertaken during summer on two of houbara breeding buildings allowing for an increase of cages as well as functional improvements, as needed by the record production of chicks in 2003.

One of the breeding buildings went from 26 cages to 60 cages and another building went from 66 cages to 96 cages. The 54-cage building were all occupied. Building plans continued in 2003 to allow more housing for future production of chicks as well as a transitional building where birds can be housed during yearly building works. By the end of the year, two new buildings holding 59 cages each, that will be all occupied, would be near completion.

During this season, the houbara breeding flock comprised of 67 females and 72 males which were distributed in three temperature-controlled buildings. Sixty-two males displayed (86 per cent of total males), among them 33 were donors of sperm (46 per cent of total males) of which 16 had good quality semen (22 per cent of total males). A total of 277 inseminations were made. 27 females laid eggs (40 per cent of total females).

A total of 223 eggs were laid from which 202 were incubated and 169 were fertile (84 per cent of incubated eggs) hatching 121 chicks hatched (60 per cent of incubated eggs) that represent a 247 per cent increase on last year's chick production. The rearing process of the chicks went well this year, averaging chicks that were growing on or above their targeted growth curve and needing very little medical intervention.