TL;DR:
- The
UAE ’s Sheikh ZayedFalcon Release Programme has released over 2,300 falcons since 1995. - In May 2025, 81 falcons were released in Kazakhstan, continuing a 9-year consecutive effort there.
- Falcons undergo health checks, training, and tracking before release to ensure survival and data collection.
In a remote stretch of Kazakhstan’s vast steppes, 81 falcons soared into the sky this May , strong, healthy, and finally free. For the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this was no ordinary wildlife release. It was a carefully orchestrated, symbolic gesture that bridges thousands of years of cultural tradition with one of the most advanced conservation programmes in the world. These birds,53 Peregrine falcons and 28 Saker falcons , were released as part of the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme, now entering its 30th year. More than a conservation milestone, the release reflects the UAE’s deep and complex relationship with falcons , creatures that are not only national symbols but sacred threads in the country’s cultural and ecological fabric. Why, then, is a country that reveres falcons so deeply releasing them into the wild, especially in a place thousands of kilometers away? The answer lies in the UAE’s unique approach to honoring heritage through protection.
Falconry in the UAE: A Living Heritage
Falconry in the UAE is not merely a sport or tradition , it is a national institution.
- Historical Roots: Dating back over 2,000 years, falconry began as a
Bedouin hunting method for survival in the harsh desert. - Cultural Significance: Falcons symbolize strength, nobility, courage, and resilience, values that remain core to the Emirati identity.
- National Symbol: Falcons are so revered they are featured on the UAE’s national emblem, and appear in Emirati poetry, stories, and songs.
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UNESCO Recognition: In recognition of its significance, falconry was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Today, falconry remains a vibrant part of Emirati life , seen in National Day celebrations, desert tourism experiences, and the day-to-day life of modern falconers. At the same time, the UAE has evolved falconry into a model of responsible stewardship, ensuring that the practice is not only preserved but sustainable for future generations.
Why Release Falcons Into the Wild?
The answer is rooted in the same values that made falcons beloved in the first place: respect for nature, balance, and legacy. Over the decades, wild falcon populations have faced increasing threats:
- Encroachment on natural habitats from expanding human activities
- Unsustainable breeding and capture practices
- Climate change, which affects food chains and migration routes
Rather than contribute to the decline of wild populations, the UAE has chosen a different path , one of rehabilitation, reintegration, and global cooperation. Through the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme, the UAE is actively returning strong, healthy falcons to their natural ecosystems. Since the programme’s inception in 1995, a total of 2,355 falcons , including both Saker and Peregrine falcons , have been released.
The 2025 Release in Kazakhstan: A Strategic Return to the Wild
In May 2025, the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme marked another significant milestone with the release of 81 falcons into the wild in Kazakhstan. This effort not only continues a growing legacy but also reinforces the UAE’s commitment to science-led wildlife restoration. This year’s release represents:
- The ninth consecutive year that the programme has operated in Kazakhstan
- A key initiative as the programme moves further into its fourth decade of conservation work
- 53 Peregrine falcons
- 28 Saker falcons
Kazakhstan was strategically chosen for its critical role in the falcons’ natural migratory range, which extends across:
- Kazakhstan
- Russia
- China
- Mongolia
- Other neighboring countries in Central Asia
The region’s rugged mountains, vast steppe, and prey-rich ecosystems provide ideal conditions for the birds to reintegrate and survive in the wild. Before taking flight, each falcon underwent a rigorous preparation process designed to ensure they were healthy, fit, and capable of thriving independently:
- Comprehensive veterinary assessments to confirm physical health
- Intensive physical training to rebuild strength and hunting skills
- Fitting with identification leg bands for field recognition
- Implantation of electronic microchips for secure individual tracking
In addition, 10 falcons, five Saker and five Peregrine w,ere fitted with solar-powered satellite-tracking devices. These trackers provide scientists and conservationists with real-time data used to:
- Monitor survival rates post-release
- Track migration routes across international borders
- Study dispersal behavior and how the birds adapt in the wild
The information collected from these devices plays a vital role in refining rehabilitation, training, and release methods, ensuring each cycle of the programme is better informed and more effective than the last.
Leadership and Partnerships Behind the Programme
The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme operates under the patronage and support of key figures and institutions in the UAE:
- H.H. Sheikh
Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Board of Directors, has offered consistent and long-term support. -
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi , Vice Chairman of the EAD and Vice Chairman of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, praised the programme, noting that it has become one of the world’s leading efforts in wildlife restoration. He said it reflects the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father and demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s and the UAE’s leadership in global conservation and biodiversity protection, both vital to the wellbeing of the environment and humanity.
- Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
- UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment – guiding national environmental policy
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Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund – supporting research and raptor conservation - International Fund for Houbara Conservation – focused on protecting houbara bustards, which share habitats and ecosystems with falcons
- Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital – the world’s largest facility of its kind, handling health checks, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Office of the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs
- Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Al Bowardi expressed his deep appreciation for the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and other Kazakhstani authorities, who helped ensure seamless coordination in the field.
A Tradition That Evolves: Falconry in the Modern UAE
The UAE continues to modernize falconry while protecting its essence:
- Training & Technique: Falconers use feathered decoys or drones to simulate prey, training falcons in agility and focus.
- Breeding & Regulation: Falcon passports help track birds and ensure legal, ethical trade and ownership.
- Tourism & Education:
Desert safari operators and heritage resorts offer falconry demonstrations; the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is open to visitors and offers educational tours.
By supporting falconry as a living, regulated heritage, the UAE ensures that the tradition thrives , not just in private majlis or at national festivals, but in public understanding and global conservation circles.FAQs:Q. What is the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme?It’s a UAE-led initiative to protect and restore endangered falcon populations by releasing them back into the wild.Q. Why are falcons released in Kazakhstan?Kazakhstan lies within the natural migratory range of falcons and offers ideal habitats for their survival.Q. How does the programme track released falcons?Some falcons are fitted with satellite trackers to monitor their migration and survival.Q. Why is falconry important to the UAE?Falconry is a 2,000-year-old cultural tradition, symbolizing national pride and identity in the UAE.
