![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLLC5TK34PIOULGVNLQPHVZMOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=db2d9c98ec9ef3d427a123f237dce52f957df43ead6119bc2b1ae4702b82f498&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Zayed was dedicated to the conservation of the birds.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2SJHPRFKLFFL7E2RPQTIWLS2ZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=48b53836920afb4388153b729197ad1afa4c64c839c48ecdc836fbee00752652&width=400&height=225)
The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme has released 86 falcons into the skies of Kazakhstan. All photos courtesy Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y3KEGXDNDRXFTJOIIRRV6MZXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a58bbecb8a33807bd95388180bfa7c73a03298f5416ab1bbb40fe170397084a1&width=400&height=225)
Fifty-one peregrine and 35 sakr falcons were released to help sustain the species.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WXG7Q2TSE46L7XDP4IWXYEXLWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a1a07c0a12b26c015de956a4d9cca27db065587164713892471bf62cbcc2d705&width=400&height=225)
Eleven falcons were fitted with satellite-tracking devices - powered by solar energy - to monitor survival, breeding and migratory routes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E4XHHSEK65Q5DDRMSVH2HKXJGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d7b51b738a93d5d712fbe3a4023bfe0d174d177601acc419e6bc88034788083&width=400&height=225)
First established by the Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, in 1995, the programme has returned 2,088 falcons back into the wild in the years since.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YGPDD7BLKQ5B4RZSFTTSX6SL5A.jpg?smart=true&auth=a64b36ede894084ff12bc1b56a4c558b2800da6f35a28a08e0616ac6588cd9b4&width=400&height=225)
Kazakhstan was chosen because it is an key stop-off on their migratory route from Russia south for winter and on their return north.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLDBRQB4M6CCK4N4AJMSNRONLY.jpg?smart=true&auth=895ccb5955af3fd9499e66792ad78a3d5b727221d591f619e16281112226c994&width=400&height=225)
The habitat there is one of the best with the open landscapes of steppe, lakes and mountains providing ideal hunting grounds
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CU3OFODSKMTPEVIFHXS4MBUCGI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2663cc9cb9e063f84831a893492f8fb71ba322ac2c4e6601fc72a9d6efc1d457&width=400&height=225)
The programme is supervised by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the International Fund for the Conservation of Houbara - who oversees the technical and field aspects - and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which undertakes veterinary services. It is also supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLLC5TK34PIOULGVNLQPHVZMOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=db2d9c98ec9ef3d427a123f237dce52f957df43ead6119bc2b1ae4702b82f498&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Zayed was dedicated to the conservation of the birds.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2SJHPRFKLFFL7E2RPQTIWLS2ZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=48b53836920afb4388153b729197ad1afa4c64c839c48ecdc836fbee00752652&width=400&height=225)
The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme has released 86 falcons into the skies of Kazakhstan. All photos courtesy Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y3KEGXDNDRXFTJOIIRRV6MZXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a58bbecb8a33807bd95388180bfa7c73a03298f5416ab1bbb40fe170397084a1&width=400&height=225)
Fifty-one peregrine and 35 sakr falcons were released to help sustain the species.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WXG7Q2TSE46L7XDP4IWXYEXLWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a1a07c0a12b26c015de956a4d9cca27db065587164713892471bf62cbcc2d705&width=400&height=225)
Eleven falcons were fitted with satellite-tracking devices - powered by solar energy - to monitor survival, breeding and migratory routes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E4XHHSEK65Q5DDRMSVH2HKXJGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d7b51b738a93d5d712fbe3a4023bfe0d174d177601acc419e6bc88034788083&width=400&height=225)
First established by the Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, in 1995, the programme has returned 2,088 falcons back into the wild in the years since.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YGPDD7BLKQ5B4RZSFTTSX6SL5A.jpg?smart=true&auth=a64b36ede894084ff12bc1b56a4c558b2800da6f35a28a08e0616ac6588cd9b4&width=400&height=225)
Kazakhstan was chosen because it is an key stop-off on their migratory route from Russia south for winter and on their return north.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLDBRQB4M6CCK4N4AJMSNRONLY.jpg?smart=true&auth=895ccb5955af3fd9499e66792ad78a3d5b727221d591f619e16281112226c994&width=400&height=225)
The habitat there is one of the best with the open landscapes of steppe, lakes and mountains providing ideal hunting grounds
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CU3OFODSKMTPEVIFHXS4MBUCGI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2663cc9cb9e063f84831a893492f8fb71ba322ac2c4e6601fc72a9d6efc1d457&width=400&height=225)
The programme is supervised by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the International Fund for the Conservation of Houbara - who oversees the technical and field aspects - and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which undertakes veterinary services. It is also supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLLC5TK34PIOULGVNLQPHVZMOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=db2d9c98ec9ef3d427a123f237dce52f957df43ead6119bc2b1ae4702b82f498&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Zayed was dedicated to the conservation of the birds.
UAE releases 86 falcons into the wild in Kazakhstan
Several birds fitted with trackers to assist conservation efforts
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The National
21 April, 2021
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