Sally Furniss
Well-known member
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Bird flu fallout: Falcon prices fall
RIYADH
Falcon prices have dropped by 50 per cent, according to The Saudi Gazette.
The tumbling price is because of the negative public perception swayed by the avian flu virus that killed thousands of birds in Saudi Arabia as well as those culled as they were potentially exposed to the disease.
Falcon trappers, however, say the predatory birds are not affected by the virus.
Trapper Abdullah Muhammed Al Hemedan says falcon prices have dropped from SR30,000 each to a paltry SR17,600.
He says the fall in the prices is unreasonable, considering the difficulties trappers face to catch the fastest birds on the planet.
"We use pigeons to lure the falcon. The pigeons are put inside a rucksack frame and are secured by a long leash tied to a stake to stop them from flying off. The falcon, on seeing the pigeon, flies down and attacks it and gets ensnared in the nooses," Al Hemedan says.
Businessman Bandr Al Anezi says, "The spread of bird flu in some poultries in the central region has scared customers who have abandoned the hunting hobby using the falcon.
“Some thought the market may be closed down as with birds market in southern Riyadh. So they don’t come here. These two reasons are directly responsible for the recession in the falcon business.
Another falcon trapper, Salman Al Rasheed, says bird flu should not scare off hobbyists since the long experienced falcon trappers usually keep the birds in hunting areas. “They rarely bring the falcons to the market for auction. So there are no chances of contagion. He says their long experience with falcons enables them to differentiate when they hunt between healthy and sick birds.
http://www.bahraintribune.com/ArticleDetail.asp?ArticleId=180432&CategoryId=2
Bird flu fallout: Falcon prices fall
RIYADH
Falcon prices have dropped by 50 per cent, according to The Saudi Gazette.
The tumbling price is because of the negative public perception swayed by the avian flu virus that killed thousands of birds in Saudi Arabia as well as those culled as they were potentially exposed to the disease.
Falcon trappers, however, say the predatory birds are not affected by the virus.
Trapper Abdullah Muhammed Al Hemedan says falcon prices have dropped from SR30,000 each to a paltry SR17,600.
He says the fall in the prices is unreasonable, considering the difficulties trappers face to catch the fastest birds on the planet.
"We use pigeons to lure the falcon. The pigeons are put inside a rucksack frame and are secured by a long leash tied to a stake to stop them from flying off. The falcon, on seeing the pigeon, flies down and attacks it and gets ensnared in the nooses," Al Hemedan says.
Businessman Bandr Al Anezi says, "The spread of bird flu in some poultries in the central region has scared customers who have abandoned the hunting hobby using the falcon.
“Some thought the market may be closed down as with birds market in southern Riyadh. So they don’t come here. These two reasons are directly responsible for the recession in the falcon business.
Another falcon trapper, Salman Al Rasheed, says bird flu should not scare off hobbyists since the long experienced falcon trappers usually keep the birds in hunting areas. “They rarely bring the falcons to the market for auction. So there are no chances of contagion. He says their long experience with falcons enables them to differentiate when they hunt between healthy and sick birds.
http://www.bahraintribune.com/ArticleDetail.asp?ArticleId=180432&CategoryId=2
