Hunts by the Sheikhs from Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been sanctioned by the President of Turkmenistan since 1993. They often obtain hunting permits for 300-400 birds, but some experts have spoken of hunts totalling 2000-5000 bustards. Local zoologists recorded a dramatic decrease in the Houbara Bustard population in Turkmenistan, which they attribute to this unsustainable harvesting. Illegal hunting of Houbara bustards is reported to be common in Uzbekistan. Sheikhs recognising the demand for foreign currency have made charity donations in their attempts to hunt Houbara.
The Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata is protected in Kazakhstan and listed in CITES "Appendix I". The total population of Houbara bustards in Kazakhstan is about 10 000 individuals.