More UAE falcons released back into the wild in Pakistan

The release came under the Falcon Release Programme initiated by Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and under the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Chairman of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), said that the release is just one of the many conservation efforts undertaken by the UAE and that it was a tradition that will always be treasured. He called for more UAE nationals to donate their falcons to the release programme.

The release is conducted to allow the birds an opportunity to rejoin the wild population and to contribute to its growth and conservation. Releasing the birds also helps to further research into the exciting phenomena of bird migration.

A total of 26 Saker and 34 Peregrine falcons were released back into the wild. They included the falcons of several shaikhs and UAE nationals. Falcons released included those previously confiscated by concerned authorities after having been smuggled into the UAE illegally. The confiscation of those illegal birds is part of the UAE's efforts to implement stricter wildlife trade regulations.

The release was organised under the supervision of the EAD, with the support of its Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. Organisers stated that this year, like the previous year, the birds were strong and in good shape.

As tradition goes, Arab falconers release their birds back into the wild when the hunting season is over, but with the advent of modern technology and wealth, it has become easier to keep the best falcons year after year. However, Shaikh Zayed had always set an example and was keen to keep the tradition alive by releasing even his own falcons annually into the wild.

The preparations for the release programme began with strict veterinary procedures, which start by choosing which birds are to be released. The birds were placed in controlled isolation at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital to check for any bacterial infection, parasites and to ensure that they are virus free. The birds were also tested for avian influenza and were found negative. Only healthy birds are usually included in the final release programme, to guarantee that there is no chance of infecting the wild falcon population.

To ensure their flight would be swift and efficient, each falcon underwent several weeks of specific training in a special camp and was fed a special diet to increase its weight, and thus improve its chances of survival during the crucial first two weeks of re-adaptation to life in the wild. The birds needed substantial reserves to fight against the elements and accomplish the extraordinary journey.

To facilitate subsequent identification in the case of recapture or being found dead, a microchip carrying a special identification number known as a PIT (passive induced transponder), weighing about 0.1 grams, was implanted under the skin of each bird. Moreover, each bird had a numbered ring fitted around its leg, which was provided by EAD, as part of the Emirates Bird Ringing Scheme.

Finally, the permit certificates from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) were obtained to allow the birds to be exported from the UAE and imported into Pakistan.

This is the third time Chitral was chosen to release the falcons due to its being used as a migration route by Saker and Peregrine falcons moving northwards towards breeding grounds in central Asia. Another consideration was the availability of water and prey species for the released birds. Saker falcons in the wild primarily feed upon small rodents and other terrestrial animals in the wild.

The programme first began in April 1995 when 107 falcons were released in the Kharan District of Pakistan's province of Balochistan. In the years to follow, the releases were carried out in several districts in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and along the China, Afghanistan Pakistan borders. Last year, 86 falcons were released back into the wild.