Research achievements

Research and conservation ex-situ

The earliest scientific research that the ECWP has carried out on the state of houbara bustard populations (status, range) highlighted the need to save the species’ genetic diversity in captivity and to produce healthy surplus of birds to reinforce declining wild populations. The project’s development was based, from 1998, on the implementation of a coherent research strategy to increase knowledge about the species.
The ECWP conducts applied and fundamental research on every area relating to the houbara bustard’s biology, including genetics, reproduction biology, ecophysiology, behavior, epidemiology and veterinary science.

Research and conservation in-situ

As soon as the project got under way, the ECWP initiated in-depth studies of residual wild bustard population’s ecology, including studies of movements (home range, migration, and juvenile dispersion), habitat use by different population categories (females, males, young) and mating strategies as well as inter-annual monitoring of reproductive success. Since 1996 over 250 wild bustards have been individually monitored by radio tracking or satellite, helping to precisely identify the species’ needs (ECWP publications).
Acquisition of this fundamental knowledge has made it possible to set up and adjust specific steps to protect and restore natural populations in order to stop the species’ decline in Eastern Morocco.

Ecological research and restoration of populations

For a restoration program to be considered sustainable, it is necessary to be able to assess the reinforcements’ long-term success and their impact, if any, on residual wild populations and their habitats. It is therefore essential to identify the key factors affecting the program’s success and to ensure continuous monitoring.
In order to improve release methods and adjust the reinforcement strategy, the ECWP carefully tracks all or some of the released birds using direct (radio tracking) and indirect methods (tagging, capture-recapture) and measures the following indicators: survival, dispersion and reproductive success.
Between 1999 and 2003, the measurement of those indicators during experimental releases, when 600 bustards were fitted with VHF transmitters, helped to determine the choice of release methods, seasons, sites, etc. Over 800 bustards have been tracked by radio for periods ranging from one to three years, revealing a 70% average survival rate one year after release. Long-term tracking has confirmed the released birds’ ability to breed, contributing significantly to the species’ natural recovery.

Studying houbara habitat

Today, drought and overgrazing have weakened the bustard’s habitat. The decisive ecological factors in the birds’ survival have been gradually identified.
Each year, surveys of flora and fauna (gazelles, bats, insects, etc.) are made. The impact of grazing and the regeneration of plant communities are measured. The raw information is analyzed, mapped and entered into a database that is particularly useful for the ECWP as well as for everybody who is interested in the region’s biodiversity and ecosystems.