Summary*2 Final

Houbara Bustards 

Due to poaching, over-hunting and destruction of their homes, the North African houbara bustards’ number has significantly decreased in only a few decades. Humans need to be in regular contact with birds that are to be used for breeding to complete the in vitro fertilization process before the spring, which is the breeding season. Up to 600 semen samples are examined to see if the birds are up to par. Once the females are inseminated, it takes four days to lay eggs, and 24 to hatch. Chicks are covered with cloth and are caged, after they reach about 9 months old, they are let go into two batches. According to the article, “A year after their release, an average of 65 per cent of the birds survive” (Todorova, V. 2011). Thus, it can be concluded that the programme was successful in that a substantial amount of the birds stayed alive.

Word Count: 149

Reference:

Todorova, V. (2011, May 27). UAE-funded centre revives endangered bird population - The National. Latest and breaking news | thenational.ae - The National. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/heritage/uae-funded-centre-revives-endangered-bird-population