Are Robo-Birds the Key to Protecting Houbara in the UAE?

An inconspicuous robotic bird decoy showcased at a prominent autonomous technology conference in Abu Dhabi might hold the solution to safeguarding the houbara bustard species, which is facing vulnerability.

Distributed across North Africa, Central Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula, houbara birds are frequently targeted by falconers due to their traditional role as prey for hunting birds.

The surge in smuggling activities across regional borders has pushed houbara birds to the brink of extinction. Now, researchers aim to provide a lifeline through robot development, enabling closer, more detailed movement observations, and enhancing genetic diversity.

"The houbara is a highly delicate species,” notes Lyes Saad Saoud, a post-doctoral fellow at Khalifa University. The university is leading the robot's development in collaboration with the UAE-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation.



Lyes Saad Saoud, a post-doctoral fellow at Khalifa University, said the houbara robotic decoys have the potential to observe and collect data that could assist with saving the vulnerable species. Victor Besa / The National

Sending humans to locate and gather data isn't feasible in most cases. A robot, mimicking a houbara, equipped with a high-def camera, audio recorder, sensors, and movable neck motors is the solution. Mr. Saoud explains that data collected by the bird can be seamlessly transmitted to the lab. The devices also house discreet batteries and a Raspberry Pi single board computer.

Information gathered by the robots spans from simple bird behavior observation to collecting semen for enhanced genetic diversity, notes Khalifa University’s Centre for Autonomous Robotic Systems.

Displayed at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and the Simulation and Training Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, these robots form part of sustainability and conservation initiatives.

Khalifa University describes fish and squid-like robots as underwater soft drones. They hold the potential for efficient and secure coral reef inspections, with the added capability of monitoring species' health.

The Unmanned Systems Exhibition and the Simulation and Training Exhibition in Abu Dhabi showcase various sustainability and conservation projects, including the innovative use of robots.

The Centre for Autonomous Robotic Systems at Khalifa University reports that the robots could collect a range of information, from simple bird behavior observation to semen collection, potentially improving genetic diversity.

Robots mimicking fish and squid are dubbed underwater soft drones by Khalifa University. They offer a means to inspect coral reefs effectively and safely, with potential applications in monitoring species health.

At the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and the Simulation and Training Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, numerous sustainability and conservation projects, such as those involving innovative robots, are being presented.

According to Khalifa University’s Centre for Autonomous Robotic Systems, robots have the capacity to collect diverse information, from observing bird behavior to gathering semen for potential improvements in genetic diversity.

The showcased robots, resembling fish and squid and described as underwater soft drones by Khalifa University, present possibilities for inspecting coral reefs and monitoring species health.

Sustainability and conservation projects, including novel applications of robots, take the spotlight at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and the Simulation and Training Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, as reported by Khalifa University.

As for the houbara, efforts have ramped up in recent years to conserve the species through protected areas, captive-breeding and reintroduction programmes.

Once found across North Africa, Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Mongolia and Iran, both species of houbara – North African and Asian – are classified as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with a decreasing population trend.

The UAE has sought to arrest this decline with a decades-long conservation drive.

More than 40 years ago, the UAE began a multimillion-dirham programme to repopulate natural habitats with captive bred birds.

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation, via the National Avian Research Centre (NARC) and Sheikh Khalifa Houbara Breeding Centre in Abu Dhabi, have developed one of the largest repopulation programmes of an endangered species anywhere in the world.

Source: The National News
Image: The National News