Call to protect Falcons

Leading falconologist warns of extinction threats to the bird species

Mohammed Zafran/DTNN

zafran@dt.bh

Manama

An award winning veteran falconologist has called upon the Bahraini government as well as falcon owners in the kingdom to take measures for preserving the falcons in the Kingdom.

Falconogist Dr. Zubair Medammal has warned that the falcons in Bahrain would have to face the threat of extinction unless necessary measures are not those concerned.

Dr. Medammal is reportedly the first and only Indian to get a doctorate in the study of falcons. Dr. Medammal called upon the governments and wildlife conservation agencies in the gulf to adopt effective measures to protect this prized bird from extinction. He warned the owners of falcons in Bahrain that neglect would lead to their bird's sickness and death.

"Falcons are of great importance to Arab tradition and culture, it should be given extra care as the they are under threat. Extra care should be taken while feeding falcons as many birds in the various countries have died as a result of feeding on bird flue-affected food and preying on infected birds. About one-third of falcons die due to preying on birds exposed to pesticides,” Zubair said.

“The falcon has always been regarded as a very uncommon and shy bird, and it is very rarely observed by amateur birdwatchers. To observe the falcons, one has to travel in an airplane. I had flown 42 times around the world for this purpose. Falcons usually prey on small birds such as houbara, pigeon, and quail etc, they are a symbol of force and courage."

He is currently in the Bahrain to shoot a documentary film titled ‘Falcons and Falconry in the Arabian Gulf’. The documentary is made in English, Arabic and Malayalam languages. The shooting for the 45-minute documentary Segments has done in Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia Qatar and Bahrain.

As many as 100,000 DVDs of the documentary will be produced, which will be distributed among educational institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as in India free of charge.