Abu Dhabi: The Miral has proudly celebrated the achievements of its raptor conservation initiative, Winged Horizons, at a ceremony held at Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Launched in February 2024 in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund and Aldar Education, the initiative has made significant strides in supporting local raptor populations.
Effort in wildlife conservation
The event was attended by prominent figures including His Excellency Abdulla Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund; Dr. Andrew Dixon, Science and Conservation Director at the same fund; Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral; and other key stakeholders from Miral, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), and Aldar Education.
Winged Horizons, a cornerstone of Miral’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, aims to enhance awareness and conservation of local birds of prey. The initiative involved the installation of ten nesting boxes for species such as kestrels and barn owls across key locations on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, including Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Yas Acres Golf and Country Club, and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Fostering future generations
During the ceremony, Miral also formalized a partnership with Aldar Education to promote educational initiatives. The agreement includes internships and talks for students from 12 Aldar schools, furthering their engagement with conservation efforts.
His Excellency Abdulla Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Managing Director at Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund emphasized that, “Through this collaborative effort, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund is proud to support this initiative that not only provides vital nesting habitats for local raptors, but also engages and inspires the next generation of conservationists.”
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral, remarked that, “The Winged Horizons initiative has been an integral part of delivering on this ambition and we will continue to play a key role in promoting environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation in Abu Dhabi.”
The initiative’s pilot phase saw active participation from 14 students and six teachers from Mamoura British Academy and Bateen World Academy. Educational lectures by Dr. Munir Virani, Chief Operating Officer at Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund and Sara Stevens, Senior Director -Zoological Operations and Conservation at Miral provided students with valuable insights into raptor conservation, fostering a deeper understanding of local wildlife.
Long-term goals and environmental impact
The Winged Horizons project builds on previous successful conservation efforts, such as the 2010 project by the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, which established 5,000 nesting boxes in Mongolia for the endangered Saker Falcon. This initiative has since produced nearly 25,000 young falcons, demonstrating the effectiveness of such conservation strategies.
Raptors play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling pest populations and supporting other species. The initiative aims to highlight the importance of these birds, whose populations are threatened by slow reproductive rates, habitat loss, and other challenges.
Miral’s ongoing CSR strategy includes several programs dedicated to advancing Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals and supporting the Emirate’s long-term economic growth.