Hunted by falcons, protected by falconry: Can the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) fly into the 21st century?

This article examines the traditional relationship between the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) and desert falconry in the Middle East and reviews the factors causing the decline of houbara populations. Hunting with falcons, industrial development, changes to traditional agriculture, political instability, subsistence hunting, and wars are important factors combining to threaten this species throughout its range. Many initiatives to conserve the houbara bustard in the Middle East are supported by Arab falconers. The role of national wildlife conservation agencies in the Middle East in establishing captive breeding and restoration programs, habitat protection, ecological studies, biomedical research, local hunting organizations, falcon research groups, sustainable use in range countries, public awareness programs, rehabilitation projects, and international agreements to conserve the houbara bustard are described.