Editor's Den

Editors Den

Raghul Patteri

Editor

Welcome to the fifth edition of PT Aware.

There are some species whose identities are indelibly linked with that of some communities. The Houbara Bustard is one of those charismatic beings, with strong bonds to the Arab and other ethnic communities of Asia and Africa.

The scenes of a falcon chasing down a Houbara across the arid landscapes are emphatic of the legends of falconry and the history of the Arab civilization. Traditional hunting had to a great extent stayed away from overexploitation, but today poaching and unregulated hunting are taking their place.

In this edition, Dr. Peter Hudson takes you through the intriguing world of the Houbara and other birds of the bustard family. Peter has insightful knowledge on the species from his association with the National Avian Research Center in Abu Dhabi, which is reflected in this article. Read about the intriguing lives of migratory birds and the many threats that they face across their migratory routes, and why the conservation of migratory species is a different beast, with inter-continental implications.

Conservation is subjective, and with migratory birds, conservationists need to think quickly and be ready to think outside the walls of the traditional conservational areas. The latest scientific breakthroughs help to study and predict the migratory routes and anticipate and prepare for the safety and feeding needs of the birds along the way.

PT Aware brings you interesting facts about different species and conservation issues from around the world. We associate with brilliant scientific minds and gifted photographers to bring you the best of both worlds, the latest scientific perspective, and spectacular photographs. We are grateful to all the wonderful photographers who contributed their Bustard images for this edition. Our next edition will focus on Giraffes, so prepare to upload your photographs of these towering mammals. Selected photographs will be published in the next edition to portray the story of these gentle giants.

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