IFWR BREEDING STATION

Declining numbers due to hunting, poaching, and habitat losses have led to the Houbara bustard being classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. This uniquely majestic desert beauty needed captive breeding and reintroduction programs to help sustain its numbers in the wild. The International Fund for Ecological Research (IFER) under the patronage of MME Qatar is committed to interventions in this regard. Houbara captive breeding program at Errachidia Wildlife Breeding Center (EWBC) Errachidia, under the auspices of IFER, is one such generous effort towards this noble cause.

Captive breeding is adopted to ensure the survival of a species or to supplement or re-establish its wild populations. This is attempted on species that are classified vulnerable due to their dwindling numbers in nature owing to multifarious factors. Such programs envisage to produce more numbers of the target species and reintroduce some to re-populate their tracts. However, it is important to maintain genetic diversity in such ventures. Beyond doubts, the founder flock has a major role in any such captive breeding programs……more…

In captivity, the founder flock production varies from 0 to 30 eggs per female per season.

An acceptable minimum baseline for Houbara captive breeding production would be 5 surviving chicks per captive female per season.

Each individual in the founder flock should have its genetic profile established so that scientifically planned breeding is carried out with a view to optimizing production maintaining genetic diversity.