ABU DHABI // The humans gathered to release about 85 houbara bustards into the early morning skies were much more excited about the prospect than the birds.
The houbara sat quietly in their cages, not knowing that their life-long captivity was about to end.
On Sunday evening, the bustards were caught and placed in the large plastic cages. Before daybreak yesterday, they were loaded on to pickup trucks and left the National Avian Research Centre (Narc) in Sweihan, near Al Ain.
They had been born at the centre through artificial insemination and raised until they were nine months old.
As the sun was about to rise yesterday, the cages were lined up in a row at the birds’ new home, the location of which has been kept secret as the houbara was once hunted to near extinction.
The early hour was chosen to help them settle, said Mark Lawrence, the project coordinator at Narc.
“It gives them the whole day to start establishing themselves in their new home,” Mr Lawrence said.
Their release, an initiative by the International Fund for Houbara Conservation in Abu Dhabi, is an attempt to restore wild populations.
More than 1,000 birds have been released into the wild already this season. Between 2003 and last year, the number had reached 3,188.
The ecologist Pierrick Rautureau started proceedings yesterday, opening the first box, taking out the birds one at a time and placing them gently on the ground.
“If they start trying to fly while still in the crate they can break their wings or legs,” Mr Rautureau explained.
Several men followed his example, including Mr Lawrence and Ahmed Al Mansouri, the head of rangers at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Government body that manages protected areas.
The birds walked away slowly but steadily, exploring the desert terrain by constantly turning their heads from side to side. After a few minutes, one houbara decided to try flying, and several followed.
“We spend a lot of time with the birds in the cages. It is always nice to see them in their natural habitat,” said Mr Lawrence as he watched them soar off.
But most of the birds preferred to survey the area on foot. Within minutes they disappeared from view, their sandy-coloured plumage providing the perfect desert camouflage.
Even though the birds were now in the wild, they would continue to be under the watchful eyes of the scientists.
“The job starts from here to know how they establish and how they survive so we can improve our [release] technique in future,” Mr Lawrence said.
Every bird released by the programme had two rings, each bearing its unique identification number.
Thirty-five of the houbara were also fitted with satellite or radio transmitters, giving the team information about their movements.
The houbara bustard is a migratory bird but some populations stay at one location all year. The released birds are expected to stay in the UAE.
Once they find their bearings in the protected area, some may venture outside of it, which could place them at risk from poachers and hunters.
Mr Al Mansouri said that while hunting was a very important tradition, some forms of the sport harmed the environment.
“In the past, people were hunting to eat; they were using falcons and did not kill houbara in big numbers,” he said.
In more recent years, hunters started using cars and shotguns, and killed the birds for sport.
But awareness about the importance of protecting the houbara bustard has increased, Mr Al Mansouri said.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Khalfan Mubarak
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Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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Always check the weather forecast before setting off
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The Details
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Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
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Warn others to prevent further harm
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
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The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
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Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
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