Abu Dhabi, 19 August 2026: Guided by the vision and continued support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the nation continues to advance wildlife conservation and environmental protection through an integrated system of institutions and initiatives that combine the preservation of national heritage with modern scientific and environmental practices.
These efforts are rooted in the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who made environmental and wildlife protection a cornerstone of the nation's development. Inspired by this vision, the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme (SZFRP) was established to return wild falcons to their natural habitats and reinforce their role in maintaining ecological balance. The programme reflects the principle that preserving heritage is closely linked to protecting the environment from which it emerged.
Since its establishment in 1995, the programme has released 2,404 Saker and Peregrine falcons into their natural habitats across Central Asia and along Peregrine migratory routes towards Siberia. This achievement reflects the UAE's long-standing commitment to wildlife conservation and to promoting more sustainable and responsible falconry practices.
The programme reflects a comprehensive vision that extends beyond the protection of falcons and Houbara to promote falconry as a practice that brings together respect for nature, biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of wildlife. The UAE's approach affirms that falconry is not merely an inherited tradition, but an evolving practice founded on balance, responsibility and a commitment to protecting wildlife for future generations.
Although satellite-tracking devices had indicated in previous years that some falcons migrated north to breed in Siberia, this marks the first time this has been confirmed through direct field observation. Russian scientists recorded the nesting of a female Peregrine falcon and successfully monitored the successive stages of egg-laying, hatching, and the mother's care of her chicks on the Taz Peninsula in Siberia. Identification markings confirmed that this female was among the falcons released in Kazakhstan through the programme.
This discovery is consistent with satellite-tracking data and confirms the ability of released falcons to adapt, survive, and return to suitable breeding habitats. It provides further evidence of the programme’s long-term conservation impact and highlights the importance of international cooperation in protecting falcons and other threatened species.