Etihad, IFHC transport endangered birds to natural habitats
Partnership sees thousands of Houbara bustards relocated Burgan Bank invites Youth Account holders to watch ‘Avengers’ for free
An Houbara bustard, which was bred in Abu Dhabi, is released into the wild in Jordan.
ABU DHABI, UAE, April 18: Etihad Cargo and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), one of the world’s leading conservation programmes, have recently transported a shipment of more than 100 vulnerable Houbara bustards for release into their natural habitats. In the past three years, the partnership between the two organisations has led to the successful relocation and integration into the wild of more than 3,000 Houbara across the world.
The venture, which is part of the Sheikh Khalifa Houbara Reintroduction Programme, began in 2014, when the two organisations signed a partnership agreement. In 2017 alone, more than 2,000 birds were transported safely to countries in Asia and North Africa, which have more hospitable environments, thereby increasing the birds’ long-term survival.
The Houbara are bred in centres in Abu Dhabi managed by IFHC and then released into their natural habitat in countries across the world. IFHC has developed protocols based on ground breaking ecology on the breeding and release of the Houbara, and every release site is studied to ensure the birds have the optimal chance of survival.
Justin Carr, Vice-President of Etihad Cargo, said, “Our motto is ‘From Abu Dhabi to the world’ and it is literally the case with our partnership with IFHC. It is an honour to be able to safely transport the Houbara to countries where they can thrive, and play a small part in Abu Dhabi’s project of restoring this iconic species in the wild. Etihad Cargo has a strong record of safely transporting animals around the world — be it returning vulnerable or endangered species to their natural habitat or reuniting pets with their families.”
Commenting on the partnership, Mohammed Saleh Al Baidani, Director-General of IFHC, said: “The range of the Houbara stretches from Morocco to Mongolia, so it is critical that we are able to move the birds from Abu Dhabi to countries across the species’ range safely and securely. Etihad Cargo has proved itself in terms of destinations and security, and together we are helping restore the iconic Houbara to countries where it has been in historic decline. It is another example of how Abu Dhabi is leading the way, KUWAIT CITY, April 18: Burgan Bank, in collaboration with Grand Cinemas, announced on Wednesday, that its Youth Account Holders will be offered the exclusivity to watch the first screening of the new movie “Avengers — Infinity War” for free at the luxurious movie theatre of Grand Cinemas located in Al Hamra Luxury Centre.
The movie screening will be held on Thursday April, 26, 2018, wherein each customer is entitled to 2 free tickets on one of the two shows, at 5:30 pm or 8:30 pm. To book the free seats, Youth Account Holders are required to visit Grand Cinemas box office in Al Hamra Luxury Centre and present their Youth ATM card.
The bank strives to reward its Youth
both in conservation and commerce.”
Abu Dhabi’s Houbara programme was initiated over 40 years ago by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the account holders with exclusive offers that fits their lifestyle. The Youth Account is dedicated for young individuals, between the ages of 15 to 25, and who seek to attain a successful future. Furthermore, account holders receive free prepaid MasterCard and an ATM card which entitles them to discounts at selective merchants along with an exclusive discount at Grand Cinemas Theatres, Al Hamra Luxury Centre and The Gate Mall.
To receive regular updates about Burgan Bank’s promotions, customers can follow the bank’s Instagram page @Burganbankkuwait. For more information customers are required to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch or call 1804080, or visit the bank’s website on www.burgan.com
Founding Father of the UAE, to restore sustainable wild populations of the species to the areas of the world where they were under threat of extinction.