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Soaring response to passports for falcons

DUBAI — The mandatory rule to register and issue passports for falcons in the UAE enforced in 2002, has received good response, according to a Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries official.

The official pointed out that the passport system for falcons was launched in the UAE with the intention of dramatically reducing the illegal trade in falcons.

“The system is linked with a falcon registration process that was put into place in late 2002 with the help of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) UAE and the Cites Secretariat,” he said.

Depending on the Cites Appendix a falcon is listed under, it is registered and granted a Falcon Passport to ease frequent movement across borders for purposes of falconry. The UAE Cites Management Authorities are responsible for registering falcons and issuing passports. Only if the birds are legally obtained and carry necessary permits, especially Cites permits, can they be registered for passports in government facilities.

“Today no falcons can be taken abroad by their owners unless they are in possession of passports for their birds. The Falcon Passport provides a legal structure that complies with Cites and, at the same time, provides falconers with a permissible, easy-to-use way to participate in the traditional sport of falconry,” the official said.

Falcon registration requires information about the owner and his bird including the sex, breed, country of origin, captive /bred or wild and required Cites documents. The falcon is then issued a passport and government ring. A micro-chip (Passive Induced Transponder - PIT) carrying an identification number is also implanted in each bird.