Houbara Breeding & Care Senior Technician - National Avian Research Center (NARC) – Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi, UAE
(2008-01 - 2015-12)
Managed by the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) at Reneco Wildlife Consultants.
- Inspect and follow up on daily routine, checking temperature and humidity levels inside pens to ensure the ideal environment for birds.
- Oversee hygiene, disinfection, and floor bedding replacement, while ensuring pure water and feed are provided daily.
- Provide health care and veterinary support, closely monitoring bird behavior, recording cases of refusal to eat or drink, isolating sick birds, and administering prescribed treatments/medications in coordination with the veterinarian.
- Prepare for the season by applying the protocol to gradually decrease temperatures until reaching the required end limit to stimulate birds for mating (Mating License).
- Collect samples and eggs, performing semen collection from males with high precision, and gathering eggs from females to transfer them to incubators.
- Specialize in managing the second stage and receiving new groups (batches) transferred from the first stage.
- Prepare the environment, including adjusting pens, heaters, and indoor boxes designated to protect chicks in their early periods.
- Identify and track chicks by installing colored identification rings on their legs to ensure digital and manual tracking accuracy.
- Monitor growth and daily/weekly weights accurately in the morning, and monitor growth curves for chicks.
- Provide advanced nutrition by offering live food, and changing water and food daily until the 45th day.
- Manage bird release and rehabilitation during the critical age from 45 to 90 days to ensure full readiness for transport and release into wildlife reserves.
- Perform teamwork and public coordination, maintaining effective collaboration with colleagues, research teams, and administrative teams to ensure smooth and highly efficient operations.
