Focus on illegal trade in birds of prey at Adihex

ABU DHABI / WAM

International efforts to bring an end to the illegal trade in raptors (birds of prey) will be the focus of a workshop taking place on Tuesday, on the opening day of the annual Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).
The workshop is being organised by the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) in collaboration with the Adihex organisers, the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation.
Also taking part will be representatives from the Bern Convention and the Task Force Against Illegal Killing and Trade in Birds of the international Convention on Migratory Species.
Entitled ‘A Joint Workshop Against Illegal Trade in Birds of Prey’, the day-long workshop will feature a number of presentations by top conservation experts from the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
“The illegal trade in birds of prey is one of the greatest threat to the survival of some of these iconic bird species,” Majid Al Mansouri, the President of the IAF and Managing Director of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Al Mansouri, who is also Managing Director of the recently-established Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, added, “This workshop will bring together top experts in the field to discuss the progress being made in clamping down on the illegal trade and the challenges that still lie ahead.”