*Al Gannas Qatari Society develops 'first-of-a-kind' genetic exam to determine identity of falcons and purity of breeds
The Qatar Falcon Genome Project of Al Gannas Qatari Society has 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".
On this occasion, HE Prof Khaled bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation, affirmed that the accomplishment of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project of Al Gannas Qatari Society, is "considered a significant scientific success and shows the extent of the development in Qatar at all levels".
He explained that Katara witnesses such achievements "due to the diversity of its projects, which are related to reviving heritage in the spirit of the times and enhancing Qatari identity".
HE al-Sulaiti also emphasised that this scientific discovery would consolidate the role of Qatar and its global pioneering position in preserving the heritage of falconry, which is considered a global human heritage registered by Unesco, and practising the hobby of falconry on scientific grounds.
These are in addition to helping researchers provide care for falcons and treat them according to the highest standards.
On this occasion, HE Prof Khaled bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation, affirmed that the accomplishment of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project of Al Gannas Qatari Society, is "considered a significant scientific success and shows the extent of the development in Qatar at all levels".
He explained that Katara witnesses such achievements "due to the diversity of its projects, which are related to reviving heritage in the spirit of the times and enhancing Qatari identity".
HE al-Sulaiti also emphasised that this scientific discovery would consolidate the role of Qatar and its global pioneering position in preserving the heritage of falconry, which is considered a global human heritage registered by Unesco, and practising the hobby of falconry on scientific grounds.
These are in addition to helping researchers provide care for falcons and treat them according to the highest standards.
Al Gannas Qatari Society board chairman Ali bin Khatem al-Mehshadi: The Qatar Falcon Genome Project has been a dream for many years
Ali bin Khatem al-Mehshadi, chairman of Al Gannas Qatari Society board of directors, said: “The Qatar Falcon Genome Project has been a dream for many years, in order to preserve falcons and wildlife and ensure the ecological balance through scientifically studied methods.”
“Eventually, due to the relentless efforts of the project and agreements concluded by Al Gannas Qatari Society with local and international entities, including Qatar University represented by the Biomedical Research Centre, to co-operate in research and scientific projects specialised in falcons, we witness today this impressive result,” he said.
Qatar Falcon Genome Project director Farouk al-Ejli: we hope the Qatar Falcon Genome Project will inspire younger generations and encourage them to choose scientific research as a lifelong passion
Farouk al-Ejli, director of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project and a specialist in genomics, said that the examination is based on the latest advances in genetics and uses the latest scientific technologies, which has allowed access to high-quality genetic information of several species of falcon – which were deposited in international bio-information repositories – followed by a large-scale survey of falcon populations.
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.
He also said that the aim of developing the examination is to enable falcon conservation projects in Qatar and abroad to detect 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 into the wild based on their genetic fingerprints, without risking any disturbance of the wild gene pool.
The project also achieved many important results, especially in the context of efforts to preserve falcons, their health and fitness.
He concluded by saying that "we hope the Qatar Falcon Genome Project will inspire younger generations and encourage them to choose scientific research as a lifelong passion".
Al Gannas Qatari Society vice-chairman Mohamed bin Abdul Latif al-Misnad: We are proud of this scientific attainment in the Qatar Falcon Genome Project, which was launched by the Society in January 2016
Mohamed bin Abdul Latif al-Misnad, vice-chairman of Al Gannas Qatari Society, said: “We are proud of this scientific attainment in the Qatar Falcon Genome Project, which was launched by the Society in January 2016, as it is one of the most important recommendations affirmed by the Second Qatar International Falcon Veterinary Conference.”
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 co-operating with the project in providing samples, said the achievement of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project is a major scientific discovery, through which falcons and their genes can be shown, distinguishing their strains, which is a major move for the Qatar and countries around the world.
Umm Heesh Reserve owner HE Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Thani al-Thani: The achievement of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project is a major scientific discovery
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 co-operating with the project in providing samples, said the achievement of the Qatar Falcon Genome Project is a major scientific discovery, through which falcons and their genes can be shown, distinguishing their strains, which is a major move for the Qatar and countries around the world.
