HOPITAL DES FAUCONS

Listed in 2010 as an intangible heritage of humanity by Unesco, falconry, the art of raising certain birds of prey for hunting, may have first been practiced on the high plateaus of Central Asia, notably by the Kirghiz, and then passed on to the Arabs and Gauls around the 7th century. The position of Grand Falconer of France was created in 1406; Louis XIII used to travel with hundreds of birds. A practice immemorial in the Arabian Peninsula, which Sheikh Zayed will make a symbol of identity, a national cultural marker to the point of launching the issuance of passports for falcons so that owners can fly without problems. Unique in the world, having treated 60,000 cases since 1999, this establishment, half hospital, half refuge, opens to visitors necessarily curious. Although it is true that the hospital is quite far from the city center, the visit is worth the detour and has become a must in the "Must See, Must Do" list of the Emirati capital. Accompanied by a nurse or by the French-speaking director (a German veterinarian), you will first enter the didactic room where the characteristics of the falcons crossing the emirates are explained, as well as the history between the Bedouins and the birds of prey, but also the basics of falconry are explained. Note in passing the French radio transmission equipment of the hunters, worthy of Inspector Gadget. The tour continues with the treatment room, populated by feathered and masked patients promised a quick anesthesia. Here, a broken leg is repaired, there the talons are filed, further on a veteran is replaced. The guide will undoubtedly propose the photo with the hawk on your glove after having presented you an operating room. Outside, an aviary welcomes the long-term residents, slowly acclimatized so that they do not kill each other. And we end with the individual rooms housing the very sick: this one, prostrate, looking suffering, has no idea of the complexity of his treatment displayed on the door! Although expensive, the experience is globally very enriching even if the comfort of the visit depends a lot on the size of the group. More people usually come in the morning. There are an estimated 18,000 falcons in captivity in the Emirates. Starting price for a bird of prey is AED 40,000. Remember to stop by the Saluki Center in the same compound where you will discover the Bedouin's inseparable friend, the sandhound. This trip is worth it, only 30 minutes away from the capital!