Buzz
In the UAE, even birds require official documents to travel. Falcons are given special passports to help prevent smuggling. These valuable birds can fetch up to $1 million each, making them a prime target for illegal trade.
The falcon passport, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water, is valid for three years and costs approximately $130. The ID number on the passport matches the one on the falcon's leg ring, which is mandatory. Border control authorities are responsible for validating the falcon's international travel, just like any other passenger, by checking and stamping the passport.
You can spot one in the opening moments of the video below:
From the launch of the passport program in 2002 until 2013, the government issued over 28,000 falcon passports. These birds typically travel in first class on commercial flights, with Lufthansa even providing a specially designed “falcon tray” for them.
Falconry boasts a rich history in the Middle East, with the earliest known records of hunting with birds of prey in Iran dating back to 8000 BCE. The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey states that up to 50 percent of the world’s falconers are based in the Middle East, many of whom travel across borders for hunting and competitions.
