Experts Discuss Techniques For Observation Of Endangered Species Of Birds

February 10, 2011 17:20 PM

ABU DHABI, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- A wide range of important topics pertaining to the preservation and expansion of the populations of bird species continued to be discussed at the "1st Symposium on Conservation and Propagation of Endangered Species of Birds", Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Held at the capital for the duration of 3 days from February 8-10 2011 by the Department of President's Affairs-Management of Nature Conservation.

Attracting 65 noted scientists and experts in the field, the conference has brought to light many important researches and findings, including an important scientific breakthrough by the Management of Nature Conservation pertaining to a new technology for propagating Houbaras.

Following in the footsteps of the late president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the management has placed extensive efforts into the preservation of the Houbara through accepting the radical idea of using chickens to propagate Houbaras, a technology which has not been practically applied anywhere else in the world, an achievement which was announced at the conference yesterday and discussed in further detail.

"Having established an international symposium such as this, which has attracted 60 experts from over 45 countries, has played an important part in shedding light on an important issue; the endangered species of birds in the Arab world and the Gulf Area.

"These birds are not only part of our ecosystem and wildlife environment, they are also an important part of our culture. There are many aspects that have affected the growth and survival of these species, including climate and environmental changes, in addition to wars and other interferences," Engr. Moubarak Saad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Department of President's Affairs in Abu Dhabi, explained.

"I call upon all entities and organisations concerned with this issue in different Arab countries to work actively together on addressing these factors which are affecting the population of these bird species and to carry out research efforts so that we can preserve these birds, which constitute part of our natural heritage and resources, for generations to come.

"The UAE has always played an important role in preserving and protecting the environment and bird species, in particular the Houbara, and Emiratis have inherited this responsibility from the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. With the support and guidance of our leadership, we are continuing this effort," he added.

Speaking at the conference on Wednesday, Dr. Tiruvarur Subramanian Thiyagasundaram explained that a common chicken egg can serve as a recipient in Interspecies Germ Cell transfer technology, using the Arabian Houbara Bustard as a sentinel species.

Dr. Thiyagasundaram is member of the Management of Nature Conservation since 2004 and leader of the research group concerned with developing new technologies for conservation of endangered avian species.

Dr. Thiyagasundaram further explained that the method developed, which uses the high reproductive rate and lack of seasonality of a surrogate domestic species was a theoretically attractive approach to enhance the productive capabilities of endangered species of birds' populations.

Other topics discussed at the conference included the improvement rates of germ line transmission, the potential for cloning birds, the development of birds in surrogate cells, and the conservation of Houbara interspecific chimeras.

-- BERNAMA

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