ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Miral has celebrated the success of raptor conservation initiative Winged Horizons at a ceremony held at Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue centre, Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
The Miral initiative, first launched in February 2024 in partnership with Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund and Aldar Education, is being celebrated for its marked progress since inception.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Abdulla Ahmed AlQubaisi, Managing Director at Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, Dr Andrew Dixon, Science and Conservation Director at Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund; Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO at Miral, Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral, Dr Salim Javed, Section Head, Animal Assessment and Conservation, Terrestrial and Marina Biodiversity at Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD); and Sahar Cooper, CEO at Aldar Education.
The initiative marks an important chapter in Miral’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy to deliver positive impact across society and the environment, enabling joint efforts in wildlife protection and conservation, environmental awareness, and community education while reaffirming the company’s commitment to the UAE’s continuation of the Year of Sustainability in 2024.
Launched in February 2024, the Winged Horizons initiative was designed to enhance awareness of local birds of prey populations by providing safe shelters and nesting habitats.
Notably, it involved the installation of 10 nesting boxes for raptor species, including local kestrels and barn owls, across prominent golf courses on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, including Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Yas Acres Golf and Country Club, and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Al Qubaisi said, “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. By fostering a deeper connection between Abu Dhabi's youth and the natural world, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable future where humans and raptors thrive together.”
During the celebration event, Miral also signed an agreement with Aldar Education to foster future educational collaborations as part of its ambitions to foster education, development and growth.
Students from 12 schools under Aldar Education will participate in a variety of educational activations including internships for students aged 16-18, and a series of industry-expert talks on a range of topics, and community initiatives.
Alsaeed said, “We remain steadfast in our journey to deliver positive, long-term value to the communities in which we operate. 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. We are proud to have partnered with the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund and Aldar Education, who share our commitment to educating and encouraging the next generation to protect and preserve local wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems.”
Principal of Mamoura British Academy, Sarah Weaver, said, “As one of the top three schools globally for sustainable and environmental action, Mamoura British Academy takes great pride in our commitment to initiatives that drive positive impact on our environment. Our partnership with Miral and the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund on this project exemplifies this commitment. Through hands-on involvement in the installation of nesting boxes, our students not only contribute to local wildlife protection and conservation, but also cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility that extends beyond the classroom.”
The initiative’s pilot programme saw the participation of 14 students and six teachers from two of Aldar Education’ schools – Mamoura British Academy and Bateen World Academy.
Ahead of the installation of the nesting boxes, 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 Experiences provided students with an in-depth understanding of local bird populations and their habitats.
The sites of the nesting boxes will allow researchers and scientists to better understand the habits, movements, and successful breeding patterns of the raptors.
The sites will also continue to serve as outdoor classrooms for the Aldar Education students enabling them to learn about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.
Raptors help to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem by controlling pest populations and positively impacting thousands of other species that rely on the same habitats and resources to flourish in the wild.
The initiative was designed to increase awareness about the intrinsic value of raptors, which are considered one of the most threatened groups of animals worldwide due to relatively slow reproductive rates, threats to survival, and habitat loss.
Winged Horizons builds upon the experience of a project by the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund in 2010, which deployed 5,000 artificial nesting boxes in the steppe grasslands of Mongolia for the endangered Saker Falcon.
The project provided successful nesting opportunities for the Saker Falcon and other raptors.
Since then, these nest boxes have produced nearly 25,000 young Saker Falcons in the wild, bolstering their population and ensuring the integrity of the grasslands.
The initiative is part of Miral’s CSR Strategy and a series of strategic programmes across the business will continue to contribute towards strengthening Abu Dhabi’s sustainability ambitions and accelerating the Emirate’s long-term economic growth.