The Qatar Falcon Genome Project of Al Gannas Qatari Society announced the development of a highly accurate genetic examination, the first-of-its-kind, to identify falcon breeds and detect the crossbreeding ratios of captive-bred falcons.
Cultural Village Foundation-Katara General Manager, HE Professor Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, affirmed that the accomplishment of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project is considered a significant scientific success.
Professor Al Sulaiti also said that this latest discovery would consolidate the role of Qatar and its global pioneering position in preserving the heritage of falconry.
According to Ali bin Khatem Al Mehshadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al Gannas Qatari Society, the Qatar Falcon Genome Project has been a dream for many years, to preserve falcons and wildlife and to ensure the ecological balance using scientifically studied methods.
The project was in cooperation with Qatar University, through their Biomedical Research Center.
State-the-art science
Qatar Falcon Genome Project Director Farouk Al Ejli, said that the examination was based on the latest advances in genetics, using state-of-the-art scientific technologies, which has allowed access to high-quality genetic information of several species of falcons that were deposited in international bio-information repositories, followed by a large-scale survey of falcon populations. Al Ejli is also a specialist in genomics.
Al Ejli explained that the genetic examination accurately uncovers the proportions of crossbreeding in falcons, namely those that have been bred in captivity in breeding farms around the world.
The aim of developing the examination is to enable falcon conservation projects in Qatar and abroad, to detect the crossbred populations and exclude them from the breeding process, to ensure the reproduction of only pure breeds, especially the endangered ones, in preparation for their release to the wild based on their genetic fingerprints, without risking to disturb the wild gene pool.
The project also reached many important results in the context of efforts to preserve falcons. Al Ejli added they hope that Qatar Falcon Genome Project inspire younger generations and encourage them to choose scientific research as a lifelong passion.
Qatar Falcon Genome Project
The Qatar Falcon Genome Project was launched by the Al Gannas Society in January 2016 and is one of the most important recommendations affirmed by the Second Qatar International Falcon Veterinary Conference, according to Al Gannas Society Vice-Chairman Muhammad bin Abdul Latif Al Misnad.
HE Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, owner of the Umm Heesh Reserve for breeding Houbara and falcons, and one of the centres cooperating with the project in providing samples, said that the achievement of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project is a major scientific discovery, through which falcons and their faction genes can be shown, distinguishing their strains, which is a major move for the Qatar and the countries of the world to preserve and increase falcons.
For more updates and more information, visit the Al Gannas Society website. You can also visit katara.net for related events.
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