Man on a mission to save falcons

The extensive use of pesticide is posing serious ecological risks to falcons, which may soon become an endangered species, warned Dr. Zubair Medammel, an Indian ornithologist currently on a visit to the Kingdom.
Zubair, the first Asian research scholar to hold a doctorate in falcon studies, is in the Saudi capital for a documentary on falcons in English and Arabic and has approached Fahad Bin Sultan Falcon Center for assistance and cooperation.
“I have been permitted to visualize the falcon center for the project,” he said on Tuesday.
Speaking to Arab News, he pointed out that falcons are high-speed hunters suited to swooping down on their prey and flying off with them. However, a large number of birds die after consuming their prey which has been exposed to pesticides.
He said that the main culprit was agricultural pesticides and urged wildlife conservators to make extra efforts to save the most loved bird in the region, which is not only a symbol of courage but also an integral part of the Arabian lifestyle.
He said that Arabs constitute one-third of the world’s falconers and import falcons from Europe, especially Germany, which is a major breeding ground for falcons.
Zubair, who has received special training in artificial falcon breeding from the German city of Stuttgart said, “Falcons are of great importance to the rich Arab culture and authorities should endeavor to protect them from the serious threat of extinction,” he said.
He cautioned falcon owners of the serious ecological risks the birds face due to their position being at the top of the biological pyramid.
“Falcons usually prey on small birds such as houbara, pigeons, and quail so extra care should be taken while feeding falcons as many birds in various countries have died as a result of feeding on bird flu-affected food and preying on infected birds,” he underscored.
He, however, noted that being the national bird and cultural symbol in most of the Middle Eastern countries, exclusive hospitals exist for their treatment.
“It is the only bird which requires a passport to cross the border of a country,” Zubair said referring to the measures taken by some Gulf countries adding that the UAE initiated the system in 2002 to stop the smuggling of falcons.


He further said that falcons were used to protect Dubai’s tallest building from birds which leave their droppings on the top of the building.
“We can use falcons to drive away crows and other birds that disrupt traffic and to drive away birds that pose a threat to passenger planes and other aircraft,” he said.
Hailing from Malappuram district of the south Indian state of Kerala, the scholar who has studied falcons extensively also claims to be the first non-European to have obtained a doctorate in falconry and also the only one who has made a sonogram of 15 different vocalizations of various species of falcons.
He is the first non-Arab to be granted membership in the Emirates Falconers Club, the organizer of the annual Arab International hunting show in UAE.
He spent months in the Western Ghats (Silent Valley hills) in Kerala and took about six years to complete the research work in the study of falcons. Qatar University has translated his thesis into Arabic to be used as a reference for degree students.
Dr. Zubair is also a member of the Worldwide Fund for Nature and the Bombay Natural History Society.