Premium
Restoration of Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii (Houbara Bustard) Populations in Saudi Arabia: A Progress Report
Author(s) -
Jaime Michel Saint,
Combreau Olivier,
Seddon Philip J.,
Paillat Patrick,
Gaudier Philippe,
Heezik Yolanda
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-100x.1996.tb00110.x
Subject(s) - bustard , threatened species , captive breeding , wildlife , wildlife conservation , habitat , population , ecology , geography , flock , biology , endangered species , demography , sociology
During the last two decades Chlamydotis undulata (houbara bustard) has declined drastically throughout its range, due primarily to over‐hunting and severe habitat degradation. The threatened extinction of local populations led the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development of Saudi Arabia to implement ex‐ and in‐situ conservation measures: (1) a captive breeding program initiated in 1986, which achieved production of a self‐sustaining breeding flock as well as a surplus for reintroduction by 1992; (2) establishment of a 13,775‐km2 protected area around the last known breeding population in Saudi Arabia; (3) studies of wild birds, to determine densities, feeding ecology, and habitat requirements; and (4) studies on different release techniques (adult releases, sub‐adult releases, feather‐cut sub‐adult releases, and covey releases), carried out since 1991 within the 2,300‐km 2 fenced and protected area of the Mahazat as‐Sayd reserve.