KUWAIT: The scientific center of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and the environment public authority (EPA) released a number of birds in the Jahra Reserve with the aim of restoring ecological balance and preserving biodiversity in the country. The director general of the center, Musaid Al-Yasin, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the pharaonic eagle owl and other birds were released in the reserve and have been rehabilitated as a step towards protecting the environment and wildlife.

He added that this launch came within the framework of the fruitful cooperation between the center, the commission, and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, which has lasted for several years. He stressed the keenness of the center in maintaining a good environment and the importance of treating, studying, and rehabilitating these birds at the scientific center before returning them to their natural environment.

The event came as part of the Scientific Center’s efforts to preserve biodiversity and promote environmental awareness in Kuwait and demonstrates the center’s commitment to supporting environmental activities and enhancing its role in society as a leading scientific institution. Deputy Director General for Technical Affairs at the Environment Public Authority, Dr Abdullah Al-Zeidan, said in a similar statement to KUNA that the Scientific Center is one of the most important strategic partners with the authority. The cooperation between the two sides has lasted for more than ten years to preserve biodiversity for future generations and spread environmental awareness to all spectrums of society.

Al-Zeidan said that this cooperation comes in line with the objectives of the international treaties ratified by Kuwait, including the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations program. He pointed out that some of the birds released are considered to be on the red list of endangered species.

The scientific center embraced these birds, rehabilitated them, and later released them into the reserve to ensure their peaceful reproduction. He pointed out that some of these birds are threatened with extinction and were subjected to poaching in March. He stressed that preserving biodiversity is a societal responsibility and a necessity. — KUNA