IFHC announces ‘International Partnership’ theme for ADIHEX 2015

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) will be participating in the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), which runs from Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 September for yet another consecutive year. As part of the show, the Fund has a jam-packed schedule of four days of activities for the entire family, designed to raise awareness of its work and educate attendees on the support it can provide to help protect the vulnerable species.

"This year at ADIHEX we have designed our stand and activities to drive home the message that the IFHC is a truly international organisation. Working to conserve the Houbara bustard is no small feat, considering the migratory nature of the bird and its wide range. In light of this, a truly collaborative spirit between countries across the Houbara range is essential for the successful reintroduction of the species. The IFHC has forged many partnerships required to this end, something we wish to both focus on and celebrate this year," said Mohammed Al Baidani, Director General of the IFHC.

In light of the theme of ‘international partnerships', the IFHC will have dedicated sections on its stand to its three most prominent country partnerships – that with Morocco, Kazakhstan and the UAE – where its breeding centres are located. Each country section will feature an ecologist to inform attendees about the work of the IFHC in each partner country, covering everything from captive breeding and release to ecological studies and socio-economic development.

Outside of the country sections, the IFHC stand will play host to a cinema, where it will be screening a selection of videos, further highlighting its achievements thanks to the support of international governments and communities. Screening around the clock, guests are welcome to drop by anytime to rest weary feet and learn about the Fund's international conservation efforts designed to help reinstate Houbara populations to healthy numbers worldwide.

Other main attractions on the IFHC stand will be targeted towards the younger generations in the ‘Kid's Corner', a regular feature for the Fund at ADIHEX. Storytelling, face painting, and games and puzzles from the ‘Houbara trail' to ‘Free the Houbara' have all been designed to both educate and entertain smaller guests on the subject of Houbara conservation, where a daily prize in the form of an iPad air will be gifted to one lucky participating child.

Speaking on the kid's activities, Hamda Hamad Al Ameri, Acting Head of PR & Communications at the IFHC, commented, "We encourage children of all ages to drop by our stand during ADIHEX for a fun-filled few hours where they will have the chance to learn, play and interact with children of a similar age while learning about the importance of Houbara and Houbara conservation. We hope to drive home the message of preserving species for future generations and it is through our engagement with the youth of today that we can ensure the continuation of our work for generations to come."