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Falcon beauty contest in capital

ABU DHABI — For the second consecutive year, a falcon beauty contest will be held this year as part of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, organisers said on Friday.

“Following the huge success that we had last year, we have lined up a host of activities for the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition which will be held from September 12 to 16 this year. This contest is part of our effort to promote awareness as well as the ethics of falconry” said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazouri, Member of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Falconers Club.

The contest underscores the UAE’s keenness to conserve some of the most endangered falcon species, said Mazroui.

He pointed out that although falconry is a popular local sport in the UAE, yet the country has been keen to strike a balance between preserving this local heritage while at the same time striving to protect the falcons. The UAE is actively in involved in several falcon protection projects in conjunction with regional and international bodies.

One of the most successful projects is the cross-breeding project in Al Ain, where certain species are cross-bred for the purposes of falconry.

Considered one of the largest cross-breeding farms in the world, Al Ain farm produces more than 300 captive-bred falcons a year. The farm is quite capable of responding to the needs of over 15,000 falconers in the Middle East region.

Captive-bred falcons have proved to be as efficient as wild falcons in everyway, said Mr Mazroui, adding that the recourse to bred falcons will not only save wild falcons from extinction but also increase their population.