A visit to Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Hospital is one of the most unique experiences you can have in the Middle East. Here, you come face to feather with one of the most elite bird species in the world, and learn about the esteem this iconic bird holds in the hearts of the desert people.
Once a bird used for the purpose of hunting, they have now become economic and status symbols for wealthy patrons who breed them for speed, hunting and looks. Competitions are held throughout the Middle East. They and their offspring are highly sought after by wealthy patrons. Falcons can sell for as much as $1 million, making them attractive to smugglers and even kidnappers.
With the dwindling of available prey for these birds, their existence has become dependent upon their handlers who must exercise and feed them regularly.
Falcons are a protected bird. You are not allowed to kill or capture wild falcons. Those in captivity are tagged and registered.
In the United Arab Emirates, falcons get their own passport to travel outside their country. No baggage department for this bird – airlines in the Middle East regularly have falcons traveling in the passenger cabin, in their own seat. (A photo went viral on the Internet around the time of my visit to Abu Dhabi in 2017 when a Saudi prince bought 80 airline seats for his falcon menagerie.)
When falcons are injured or get sick, they may find themselves at the Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi. During my visit we witnessed a falcon being sedated in order to repair several broken feathers in his wings.
While ferocious in looks and attitude, falcons will calmly perch on your leather sheathed arm for a picture opp.
If you get a chance to visit Abu Dhabi (which I highly recommend), be sure to drop by the falcon hospital. The staff are friendly, informative and allow visitors to be interactive within certain limits that maintain a safe environment for man and bird.
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