The concept of Lubara / Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation was the brainchild of the late Sheikh Saoud bin Mohammed bin Ali Al-Thani. The Sheikh established Al Wabra to become one of the top endangered species breeding centers in the world.
Al Wabra is an impressive facility with over 200 staff maintaining the facility with 50 keepers working directly with the animals, 2 curators, 3 assistant curators, 3 vets, a laboratory technician and research specialist.
The Spix’s macaws at Al Wabra have 3 keepers, Curator (research specialist and director at Al Wabra), and an assistant curator.
The Blue Macaw Coordinator and director of Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation is Dr. Cromwell Purchase. Dr. Purchase’s resume includes a Masters in Veterinary Science specializing in Avian Diseases, Medicine and Vaccine Technology, and a PhD in Zoology focusing on Avian Nutritional Physiology. He is also the International Studbook keeper, Management and Genealogist consultant for the Spix’s macaw recovery program.
The Spix’s Macaw captive breeding program is arguably the most challenging captive breeding conservation project of this generation, with leading research in genetic analysis, hormone analysis, egg analysis, genome sequencing and artificial insemination. Combined, these advances have brought about an in depth knowledge of the captive breeding of the Spix’s Macaws that has brought the effort to the doorstep of reintroduction into the wild. In 2015 alone, 16 chicks were bred at Al Wabra. More than double the previous record of 7 chicks. By using artificial new insemination procedures over the last 3 years, AWWP has managed to produce chicks from birds previously genetically unrepresented in the population. Presently, the Spix’s Macaw captive population is in the strongest position ever.
In 2008 Sheikh Saoud bin Mohammed bin Ali Al-Thani purchased and created the 6000 acre (2400 hectare) Spix’s Macaw Preserve. The Al-Thani family has graciously donated the use of this preserve to the future of the Spix’s Macaws as the reintroduction site of the project.