Falconry season starts in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) has announced the start of the falconry season. This year it will run from 20 October to 20 January.

The EAD has also laid down a number of regulations aimed at protecting wildlife, preserving the environment and supporting the ancient art of falconry.

Falconers must apply for a licence through Tamm, Abu Dhabi’s one-stop shop for government services. Applicants must be UAE citizens over the age of 18 and all falcons used must be registered with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Traditional hunting on land is restricted to open areas of the Abu Dhabi emirate, and is limited to falconry only, EAD officials said. It must be at least 2km away from major and secondary roads, prohibited and private areas, nature reserves, protected areas, forests, residential areas, oil and military centres.

Hunting is allowed from sunrise to sunset, and falconers with a licence may only hunt captive-bred bustards. It is forbidden to hunt or disturb other wild animals, birds and reptiles, the EAD said.

The rules also prohibit driving vehicles through and damaging vegetation, as well as transferring a hunting licence to another person. The licence must be carried with you while hunting and presented when requested by authorities. The environment must be kept clean and littering is not allowed.

The EAD noted that falconry licences are in high demand, with more than 9,300 permits issued since 2021.

Falconry is an ancient sport that has been practised in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years. Falcons were once essential for the survival of Bedouins in the harsh desert environment.

Source: The National