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Falconry in the United Arab Emirates

Falconry in the United Arab Emirates . School Links Programme . An ancient tradition. During Ancient times, people hunted with birds of prey for food & clothing Falconry was practiced in the Middle East some believe as early as 2500BC Written evidence of A rabian falconry dates from 700AD.

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Falconry in the United Arab Emirates

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  1. Falconry in the United Arab Emirates School Links Programme

  2. An ancient tradition • During Ancient times, people hunted with birds of prey for food & clothing • Falconry was practiced in the Middle East some believe as early as 2500BC • Written evidence of Arabian falconry dates from 700AD

  3. Bedouin and falconry • Falconry has always been part of traditional Bedouin culture • The desert people hunted for food in the winter with falcons • The Bedouin hunted Gazelles, Arabian hare, stone curlews and houbara bustard using falcons

  4. Falcons used by Bedouin • Falcons do not breed in the Arab states • Falcons passed through the Arab states on their migration to Africa • Some falcons were trapped while flying through the region • Some falcons were trapped in Asia and traded with the Bedouin • The saker falcon and peregrine falcon were most commonly used by Bedouin falconers

  5. Houbara bustard • Houbara bustard also migrated through the deserts of Arabia in the past • Bedouin elders would send word that the houbara had arrived • The annual event brought local people together.

  6. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan • Sheikh Zayed transformed the UAE from a semi nomadic nation to a developed nation • Sheikh Zayed spent his youth with the Bedouin and was a keen falconer • UAE coat of arms is a golden falcon

  7. Decline of quarry • All terrain vehicles meant that falconers could travel further into the desert • This led to overhunting • Stone curlew, hare and houbara bustard numbers declined

  8. Falconry in UAE today • Falconry is a part of UAE’s cultural heritage • It is a popular sport among Emiratis and is practiced by all sectors of society • It is a tradition that has survived to modern times • Falconry is celebrated and used to bring nations together

  9. Captive bred falcons • Many Emirati falconers buy captive bred falcons • Captive breed falcons reduce the need to catch birds from the wild • White gyr falcons are the most favoured • Gyr- peregrine is a hybrid falcon and is also popular • 96% of all falcons used in Abu Dhabi are captive-bred birds. • Since 2003, UAE falcon owners can travel abroad with their falcons using a special falcon passport

  10. Acknowledgements Many thanks to the following artists, photographers and falconers for images and text used in this PowerPoint : • Andrew Lopez Sanchez • Tom Bailey • Rob Palmer • Andrew Lopez Peinado • Chris Johnson • Linda Wright Funded by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi and supported by Mongolian Ministry of Nature Environment and Tourism. Implemented by International Wildlife Consultants , UK and Wildlife and Conservation Center, Mongolia

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