Riyadh, October 7, 2024 – In a significant step towards preserving the rich cultural, environmental, and heritage legacy of falcons in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Falcons Club and the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday. This agreement is designed to bolster collaborative efforts in the conservation and rehabilitation of falcons, which hold immense cultural and environmental value in the Kingdom.
Central to this partnership is the "Hadad" program, a critical initiative aimed at reintroducing falcons back into their natural ecosystems. The program will focus on both national and international efforts to rehabilitate and release falcons, ensuring their survival in the wild and promoting biodiversity. By rehabilitating falcons in their native environments, Saudi Arabia will not only conserve its ecological balance but also protect an essential part of its national identity.
The MoU also lays a foundation for the systematic documentation of falcon populations within the Kingdom. Through this agreement, the Saudi Falcons Club and the NCW will undertake joint efforts to track the numbers and species of falcons residing in Saudi Arabia, thereby providing crucial data for the effective management of these birds. This initiative is expected to attract investors with an interest in falconry, a practice that has long been ingrained in Saudi culture.
Beyond documentation and conservation efforts, the MoU emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing between the two entities. The agreement encourages the exchange of research, statistics, and studies related to falconry and conservation, fostering greater cooperation in these fields. Additionally, both organizations will collaborate on capacity-building activities, sharing expertise and technical knowledge that will further enhance their respective falconry and conservation programs.
This strategic collaboration aligns with the Saudi Falcons Club's broader goals of promoting falconry as a sustainable practice while also enhancing environmental consciousness among the public. By expanding the number of individuals engaged in falconry and raising awareness about the importance of conserving this iconic species, the agreement further positions Saudi Arabia as a global hub for falconry enthusiasts. Moreover, it reinforces the Kingdom's commitment to sustaining its cultural heritage while simultaneously fostering ecological preservation.
