Some inspiring news has originated from Bulgaria where new data has shown that a pair of captive-bred Saker Falcons released into the wild have been breeding. The Green Balkans Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre, based in central Bulgaria, has been addressing the long-term decline in Saker Falcon populations with a breeding and reintroduction programme.

The Coordinating Unit of the Raptors MOU welcomed the opportunity to actively participate in the Summit for the Flyways on 23-26 April at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The summit was hosted by the International Fund for Houbara Foundation and convened by BirdLife International.

The Czech Republic and Switzerland signed the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) at the 11th Conference of Parties to CMS (COP11) in Quito, Ecuador. This brings the total number of Signatories to 48.

This article has been published in The National Newspaper UAE, on 10 June 2014.

World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the intrinsic value of wildlife and to the way in which it contributes to the social, economic and cultural aspects of human well-being. Migratory birds of prey are a critically important part of many ecosystems. As top-level predators they can act as sentinels to the health of the environment. In addition, throughout human history certain raptor species have been afforded special cultural significance for many reasons. For example, the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) is considered a heritage icon by rulers and peoples, particularly in the Gulf Region, for its prowess as a hunter in falconry.

International experts have taken a major step towards developing a comprehensive plan for the recovery of the endangered Saker Falcon. Over 70 representatives from different governments, nature conservation authorities and NGOs throughout the range of the species participated at the Saker Falcon Task Force - Stakeholders’ Action Planning Meeting held 9 - 11 September in Abu Dhabi. They elaborated the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) Global Action Plan which covers the conservation threats, challenges they face and the roles and responsibilities for the next steps.

Tunisia today signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU) under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Programme Officer, Nick P. Williams, reports back on his first 100 days in office.