Sheikh Hamad bin Saoud Al Thani (left), the owner of Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, receiving a token of appreciation from Roberto Abdalla, the Ambassador of Brazil to Qatar, during an event held at the Brazilian Embassy yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The
Doha: The Embassy of Brazil in Doha yesterday celebrated the important contribution of Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (a Qatari private wildlife refuge) in saving endangered bird species Spix’s Macaw, known in Brazil as Ararinha-Azul.
“These incredible birds have been considered extinct in the wild since 2000, and now only 130 of them find refuge in private institutions in Qatar, Germany, and Brazil, where they have been able to breed and multiply in safety,” said Ambassador of Brazil Roberto Abdalla. He also said that the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation carried out important work to save the Brazilian Blue Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), by helping to reintroduce the species to its natural caatinga (type of desert vegetation) habitat in the northeast region of Brazil.
The Ambassador pointed out that in 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation and the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, which enabled stronger technical cooperation in this effort through the Brazilian National Action for the Blue Macaw.
“The honour being bestowed today is a recognition not only for the valuable work Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation has done for saving the Brazilian blue macaw from extinction but also for its continued and unwavering effort in raising public awareness of wildlife preservation and the importance of reintroducing endangered species to the wild,” he noted.
Sheikh Hamad bin Saoud Al Thani, owner of Al Wabra said, “The project was initiated by my father and we are proud to succeed in doing so. When we started the project there were only about 15 birds of this species and our Preservation was the only ones which succeeded to save it and today there are 130 birds.”
“In 2020, about 90 birds of Spix’s Macaw will be released in Brazil and the project will be completed."
We have to keep only 40 birds in the Preserve. Our aim is to preserve nature and animals as well as to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment,” Sheikh Hamad bin Saoud Al Thani added.
Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation is located on a 2.5 square km area close to the town of Al Shahaniyah. Al Wabra sanctuary is an oasis of green areas, palm trees and many rare wild animals from all over the world. Al Wabra comprises an international team of expert veterinarians, biologists and keepers that are dedicated to the care and conservation of some of the most rare and endangered animals.
