Mohammed bin Zayed tours Adihex

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces has reiterated the interest of the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in preserving its heritage, culture and authentic sports as well as in promoting them among the present and future generations.

Sheikh Mohammed also praised the large turnout of the exhibition which reflects the authenticity of the region's peoples and their commitment to their heritage and values and also expresses their interest in reviving and preserving it.

Sheikh Mohammed made his remarks as he toured the venue of the 10th edition of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex 2012) which concluded Friday at Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center (Adnec).

Expressing satisfaction at the displayed products aimed at preserving national heritage, Sheikh Mohammed made note of the national products and the participation of national human recourses in developing hunting equipment and putting the UAE at the forefront of nations seeking to preserve human and environmental heritage. 

Sheikh Mohammed's tour took in the stand of Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH), the first public falcon hospital in the UAE, which was opened on 1999 to become the largest of its kind in the world with a patient influx of more than 6,000 falcons a year and an additional 250 convalescent falcons.

At ADFH's stand, a team of expert veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are highly qualified and experienced in all aspects of avian medicine and surgery provide full care to participating falcons and pre-purchase checkups.

The hospital's stand also features a stray pet shelter which was launched in 2010.

The shelter put cats and dogs on display at the exhibition for adoption by the public.

As the only hospital in Abu Dhabi with an authorisation to conduct programmes for stray pets, ADFH's shelter treats cats and dogs from parasites, vaccinates them and tag them with electronic chips before they are proposed for adoption.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also stopped at the Emirates Falconers Club's stand where he was briefed on the studies and researches on the migration of falcons and other birds to the region and on the club's wild rabbit breeding programmes which produced a total of 1175 rabbits between June 2008 and September 1, 2012.

The club targets 10000 a year by the end of 2016. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also visited the stand of International Fund for Houbara Conservation where he was briefed on the Fund's new record number of producing around 13,000 Asian Houbara bustards in 2012 taking the total number of the birds produced by the Fund's captive-breeding facilities since the launch of the breeding programme in 1996 to more than 120,000.

He hailed the Fund's efforts and qualitative initiative which contribute to solutions to preserve wildlife.

He also visited stand of Al Ghadeer project, which is run by the Red Crescent Authority (RCA) and seeks to empower the women through marketing their products at public departments to improve their standards of living.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also visited the stands of Tawazun Advanced Defence Systems (Tads) and Caracal Light Ammunition where he viewed their hunting products.

At the conclusion of his tour, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed satisfaction at the increasing number of national, regional and international participants at the exhibition which dedicates the UAE among the important global hubs for hunting and equestrian sports.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Mohammed Ahmed Al Bawardi,  Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the Managing Director of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of ADIHEX Higher Organizing Committee, board member of EFC and adviser on culture and heritage at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's office, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Court of the Crown Prince and other officials.

The 10th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) ran between September 5-8.

Organised by the Emirates Falconers' Club, it was held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers' Club.

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