Abu Dhabi- Falcon Hospital (part 2)

I wanted to do something different while visiting the country. Something unique other than eating and shopping. My hotel suggested I visit the Falcon Hospital. All I could think of is Mulan and how the bad guy carries his falcon around. A little scary.

 

I woke up for a 9 am pick-up and headed out of the city with one other passenger named Dennis. On the way we passed the mangroves where many people kayak and paddle board.

 

Once arriving at the falcon hospital we were served dates and Arabic coffee. We had a charming guide named Hasan who was very informative and amusing. We were jointed by four other Austrians. Hasan put us on three teams to get points for answering questions. Obviously I got competitive!

First, we learned about the 45 different types of falcons. The one falcon has a minimum speed of 250 km/h and a maximum speed of 350!!! A cheetah is only 120! This is one bird I never want to be injured around.

 

Falcons also have passports that their owners use for transport. For a person to legally own a falcon they must be banded, have a microchip, and a passport. When traveling falcons are hooded and allowed to travel in the cabin of a plane. Although falcons are no longer allowed to hunt for sport in the UAE places in Austria still allow these events.

We went into the falcon medical room next and saw all the falcons that were undergoing some sort of medical treatment. Each of them had a small head wrap on that was comfortable but did not allow them to see. This kept them calm and reduced stress and anxiety.

 

The vet took the one falcon and gave him happy gas to put him to sleep. After he was fully asleep they showed us how to trim the class, reshape them, and clean his eyes. These things needed to be done since they are living in captive at the moment and couldn't use natural ways.

Next, they showed us the table of supplies they us to repair broken feathers. It was amazingly simple how they used bamboo inserted and glued into the broken end and reattached the broken feather with glue in the opposite end!

Then it was my chance to hold and pet the birds. Not going to lie, I was nervous because these things are quite intimidating!

 

The one I was holding was a female named Petra!

 

We also got to see the exercise building.

The owl cage was one of my favorite parts ironically. We were told that the mother was very shy but now that she has a two babies her personality has completely changed. 

She came right up to us with fierce protective eyes!

At the end of the tour the charming guide, Hassan, invited me to have Arabic coffee and tea with him. It may be a comman pick up line here but he told me I looked like a movie star from Egypt. I wish I could remember the name to look it up because I doubt I look like this lady. He also proceeded to give me his number!!! Although maybe a little forward he was very polite and nice and we had a wonderful time talking over tea and I got to learn a little more about the Arabic culture and the city of Abu Dhabi!