Over 670 Rare Houbara Bustards Released into the Wild in the Aral Sea Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Systemic and planned efforts aimed at conserving unique biodiversity and restoring endangered fauna populations continue in the Aral Sea region.

Another major milestone in this environmental mission was achieved with the mass release of 672 Houbara bustards into their natural habitat. The release took place on 26 June 2026 across the arid territories of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

All the released birds were bred and raised in a specialized facility owned by the representation of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Following the completion of a necessary adaptive training cycle, the birds were transported to the Aral Sea region, where they were integrated into the wild.

The reintroduction process was coordinated and strictly supervised by inspectors from the regional divisions of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, renowned international experts, representatives of the CITES Management Authority, and specialists from Falcon Hunting Solutions LLC. This synchronized approach ensures rigid compliance with international standards for the protection of rare species.

The population restoration program for the Houbara bustard is of critical importance to Karakalpakstan. The large-scale environmental crisis triggered by the drying up of the Aral Sea basin has dramatically transformed the region's natural ecosystems. The sharp reduction in the traditional habitats of steppe and desert animals has severely impacted their numbers.

The return of the protected Houbara bustard, which is listed in the Red Book, is intended to stabilize the ecological balance and enrich the gene pool of the local avian fauna. This initiative serves as an example of successful transboundary cooperation among state bodies, environmentalists, and foreign partners, with long-term measures to safeguard nesting sites set to continue.