For the past 16 years, the annual Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme has helped to maintain the population of falcons in the wild.

This year, 57 falcons were released into the skies above the Altai Mountain range in Kazakhstan and for the first time ever, a gyr falcon was released among them. The release programme was organised under the aegis of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), with medical support being provided by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.

The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme was set up back in 1995 by the then President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who had realized the deteriorating situation of falcons in the wild.

This year’s release, which came upon the directives of H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and with the support of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of EAD, was carried out from May 7-8, 2010. by releasing wild caught falcons back into the wild.

This year’s release involved 20 peregrines, 32 sakers and 5 gyrs. Ten of these falcons, including 5 sakers, 3 peregrines and 4 gyr, were fitted with a satellite tracking device to monitor the movement of the released falcons, 29 falcons belonging to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan were released, keeping with the tradition set by his late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The late Sheikh Zayed used to release his falcons back into the wild at the end of the hunting season in the hope that they will rejoin the wild population. Doing so, he was contributing to the growth and conservation of the wild population. Others falcons released were confiscated by concerned authorities as they entered the country illegally.

H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan said “Falconry has been practiced for hundreds of years in the Arab World. In the past, bedouins had trapped falcons on their migration routes over the Arab peninsula in Autumn. These falcons were used for hunting in order to provide more meat for their families. At the end of the hunting season, the falcons were released again and returned to their original breeding places.”

“As the life of the Bedouins has changed dramatically in a more modern world, the falconers began keeping them over the summer time to use them again for falconry in the coming year. This has resulted in a dramatic decrease of falcons in the wild,” he added.

H.H Sheikh Hamdan encouraged falconers all over the UAE to donate their falcons to the programme at the end of the hunting season to be released back into the wild.

More About the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme
The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme uses the latest techniques to study migration patterns of falcons such as satellite tracking. Since it began in 1995, 1,246 falcons have been successfully released back into the wild. The programme supports scientific research that monitors the population of falcons in the wild especially the Peregrine and Saker by providing useful information about their migration routes and their ability to adapt with the nature once again.

Preparations for the Release
Only wild peregrine and saker falcons are released. Falconers donate their falcons to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which fully examines the falcons to ensure that they are free of any kind of parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases. Those falcons that require rehabilitation get intensive medical care and special attention until they are completely recovered. All donated falcons are tagged with microchips and special rings around the legs. Complete measures of feathers, legs and toes are conducted for individual identification.

Only the strongest, healthiest and fittest falcons are released. The satellite transmitters are solar as well as battery-powered and fitted with a long antenna.

After the medical examination, only fully fit falcons are sent to a special training camp with experienced falconers taking care of them. Here, they undergo extensive training on a daily basis for a time period of eight weeks prior to the release.

Transportation to the Release Site
The falcons were transported in individual boxes in a special cargo airplane from Abu Dhabi to Kazakhstan and then further transported in special vehicles. The release site was carefully chosen according to the prevalence of prey like birds, rodents or small mammals and water. It has to be on the migration route of the falcons to enable them to return to their original breeding places. Moreover, either mountainous areas or seas have proved to be good places for the release of peregrine falcons whereas saker falcons like areas with bushes and small trees. The release area should not be very populated as this might cause problems for the falcons and even result in trapping them again.

On the morning of the release, a final physical examination of the falcons is performed. The falcons are released either single or in groups of a maximum of two to three falcons of the same or different species. Before release, the ring number of each falcon is double-checked. The GPS location for each falcon is recorded to evaluate these scientific data after the release.

The Release
The release distance between a single falcon or small group of falcons is several kilometers apart to avoid competition and territorial rivalry. After the falcons in one area are set free, pigeons are released to enable the falcons to find easier food during the first days. The ability to find food in the first 4-5 days highly increases the survival rate of the released falcons.

The released falcons glide in the wind current and then sail down to the lovely valleys between the high mountains. Some of them will fly up to 270 kilometers within the first week after release.

About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is a governmental agency that was established in 1996. It is committed to protecting and managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting Sustainable Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. EAD provides a direction for Government, business and the community to build environmental considerations into the way they plan and live without compromising Abu Dhabi development. EAD has been promoting public environmental awareness since it was established. For more information, visit www.ead.ae .
 

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