ЋҚm äĽģđĄŖ
27-11-2010, 11:10 AM
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ..
أبـآ حد يسـآعدني في التلخييييييص ..
__________________________________________________ ____________
Falconry
Falconry is defined as the art of hunting wild quarry with trained birds of prey. Although the exact origin of the sport is shrouded in mystery, there are reliable records proving that it has been practiced uninterruptedly by the people of Arabia for at least eighteen centuries. Today falconry forms a very important part of the cultural heritage of the Arab people and this is evident in the fact that the UAE chose the falcon as its national emblem.
Falcons, like many other bird species, use the Arabian Peninsula as a land bridge on their annual migration between Asia and Africa. The ancient Bedouin tribes took advantage of this fact by utilizing falcons as hunting tools to provide meat for their families during the winter months. Usually a young falcon (“farkh”) on its first migration south was trapped in early autumn. It was used for hunting during the winter months and at the end of the hunting season the falcon was released in a fit and healthy condition to join the spring migration back to its Asian breeding grounds. Very seldom was a bird kept throughout summer, since it was very difficult to feed it and care for it during the extremely hot summer season.
Of the many different species available, only two were used for hunting. The Saker falcon (“saqr”), with its flexible feathers, hardy constitution and incredible endurance was the undisputed favorite. The large females (“Hurr”) were used to hunt desert hare and the highly prized McQueen’s Bustard (“Houbara”). The smaller male saker (“garmousha”) with its higher agility was flown at the agile Stone Curlew (“Karowan”). Some preferred the Peregrine falcon for its blistering speed and uncompromising aggression. The female (“Shaheen”) was the bird of choice, but the smaller tiercel or male (“Tibba”), was also flown with great success.
When a young falcon is trapped, the training process commences immediately. There are a number of distinct phases in the new falcon’s training. The bird is fitted with a hood (“burka”) that acts as a blindfold to reduce stress, and anklets are fitted around the feet to give the falconer a measure of control. For the first few days the wild young falcon is carried around everywhere and gradually exposed to humans, other animals and things that might cause it to be fearful. This process of desensitizing the bird to stressful situations is paramount in the training process, and Arab falconers still today are world famous for their almost magical ability to tame a wild falcon. The next step is creating a bond between bird and human. Since falcons are almost exclusively food motivated, the new bird is only fed on the falconer’s glove and soon comes to associate the falconer as a reliable source of food. The falcon is then required to approach the falconer for food. Some falconers train their birds to fly short distances to the fist for a reward first, but essentially the falcon is bird of the lure. The lure (“tilwa”) is the primary tool for calling a falcon back to the falconer. Usually the lure consists of the wings of the Houbara bustard or whichever bird is intended as the eventual quarry. The important point is that the falcon is rewarded each time it comes to the lure. Once the bird is responsive to the lure, the bird can be introduced to live quarry and the hunting season starts in ernest.
When prey is caught, the falconer will approach the falcon and usually allow it to feed from the head and neck of the prey. The bird is given ample food to satisfy its own requirements, and the remainder of the prey is retained by the falconer to feed himself and his family. An interesting fact to note is the method a falcon uses to kill its prey. They will almost invariably hold onto the prey with their feet, while dispatching it by biting through the neck. This is why it is considered acceptable for Muslims to eat meat provided by a falcon, since the killing method conforms to their religious beliefs.
Over the last few decades the UAE has changed rapidly from nomadic desert existence, fishing and pearl diving, to an oil-rich country that has become a world leader in technological development. These changes have had a dramatic effect on the practice of falconry. Increasing pressure on wild falcon and quarry populations has given rise to intensive research into captive breeding techniques. The UAE has taken the lead with a number of important initiatives in conservation of falcon and quarry species. Under the leadership of the late president, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a successful release programme of mainly saker falcons was introduced. Today a number of successful captive breeding projects of Houbara bustard also exist in the UAE and birds are fitted with satellite tracking systems to monitor and study their migration and breeding patterns on the wild.
Numerous falcon breeding facilities exist in the UAE today. With the aid of artificial insemination sufficient numbers of captive bred falcons are produced each year to satisfy the needs of most Emirati falconers. Gyr x Saker or Gyr x Peregrine hybrid falcons have become very popular due to their superior size and speed in level flight. In the veterinary field the UAE is also leading the way with the establishment of numerous state of the art, specialist falcon hospitals. These facilities are equipped with the latest modern technology and enable medical practitioners to perform complicated procedures on falcons, ranging from full anesthetic and endoscopy to invasive surgery and treatment of all microbiological ailments.
In Ras Al Khaimah at the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort, a newly established falconry centre aims to educate visitors on the falconry history of Arabia. They are conducting introductory falconry courses, a first in the Middle East, teaching students the principles of bird of prey husbandry and training. An onsite laboratory and breeding program also exist with the aim to reintroduce native species onto the reserve.
In an age where hunting sports are coming under continuously greater international pressure from animal rights activists, the UAE is undoubtedly one of the leading countries in ensuring the long term survival of falconry, and thereby preserving one of the most spectacular and culturally significant art forms for the generations to come.
__________________________________________________ ___
أرجوـآ منكم تسـآعدوني .. :(5):
أبـآ حد يسـآعدني في التلخييييييص ..
__________________________________________________ ____________
Falconry
Falconry is defined as the art of hunting wild quarry with trained birds of prey. Although the exact origin of the sport is shrouded in mystery, there are reliable records proving that it has been practiced uninterruptedly by the people of Arabia for at least eighteen centuries. Today falconry forms a very important part of the cultural heritage of the Arab people and this is evident in the fact that the UAE chose the falcon as its national emblem.
Falcons, like many other bird species, use the Arabian Peninsula as a land bridge on their annual migration between Asia and Africa. The ancient Bedouin tribes took advantage of this fact by utilizing falcons as hunting tools to provide meat for their families during the winter months. Usually a young falcon (“farkh”) on its first migration south was trapped in early autumn. It was used for hunting during the winter months and at the end of the hunting season the falcon was released in a fit and healthy condition to join the spring migration back to its Asian breeding grounds. Very seldom was a bird kept throughout summer, since it was very difficult to feed it and care for it during the extremely hot summer season.
Of the many different species available, only two were used for hunting. The Saker falcon (“saqr”), with its flexible feathers, hardy constitution and incredible endurance was the undisputed favorite. The large females (“Hurr”) were used to hunt desert hare and the highly prized McQueen’s Bustard (“Houbara”). The smaller male saker (“garmousha”) with its higher agility was flown at the agile Stone Curlew (“Karowan”). Some preferred the Peregrine falcon for its blistering speed and uncompromising aggression. The female (“Shaheen”) was the bird of choice, but the smaller tiercel or male (“Tibba”), was also flown with great success.
When a young falcon is trapped, the training process commences immediately. There are a number of distinct phases in the new falcon’s training. The bird is fitted with a hood (“burka”) that acts as a blindfold to reduce stress, and anklets are fitted around the feet to give the falconer a measure of control. For the first few days the wild young falcon is carried around everywhere and gradually exposed to humans, other animals and things that might cause it to be fearful. This process of desensitizing the bird to stressful situations is paramount in the training process, and Arab falconers still today are world famous for their almost magical ability to tame a wild falcon. The next step is creating a bond between bird and human. Since falcons are almost exclusively food motivated, the new bird is only fed on the falconer’s glove and soon comes to associate the falconer as a reliable source of food. The falcon is then required to approach the falconer for food. Some falconers train their birds to fly short distances to the fist for a reward first, but essentially the falcon is bird of the lure. The lure (“tilwa”) is the primary tool for calling a falcon back to the falconer. Usually the lure consists of the wings of the Houbara bustard or whichever bird is intended as the eventual quarry. The important point is that the falcon is rewarded each time it comes to the lure. Once the bird is responsive to the lure, the bird can be introduced to live quarry and the hunting season starts in ernest.
When prey is caught, the falconer will approach the falcon and usually allow it to feed from the head and neck of the prey. The bird is given ample food to satisfy its own requirements, and the remainder of the prey is retained by the falconer to feed himself and his family. An interesting fact to note is the method a falcon uses to kill its prey. They will almost invariably hold onto the prey with their feet, while dispatching it by biting through the neck. This is why it is considered acceptable for Muslims to eat meat provided by a falcon, since the killing method conforms to their religious beliefs.
Over the last few decades the UAE has changed rapidly from nomadic desert existence, fishing and pearl diving, to an oil-rich country that has become a world leader in technological development. These changes have had a dramatic effect on the practice of falconry. Increasing pressure on wild falcon and quarry populations has given rise to intensive research into captive breeding techniques. The UAE has taken the lead with a number of important initiatives in conservation of falcon and quarry species. Under the leadership of the late president, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a successful release programme of mainly saker falcons was introduced. Today a number of successful captive breeding projects of Houbara bustard also exist in the UAE and birds are fitted with satellite tracking systems to monitor and study their migration and breeding patterns on the wild.
Numerous falcon breeding facilities exist in the UAE today. With the aid of artificial insemination sufficient numbers of captive bred falcons are produced each year to satisfy the needs of most Emirati falconers. Gyr x Saker or Gyr x Peregrine hybrid falcons have become very popular due to their superior size and speed in level flight. In the veterinary field the UAE is also leading the way with the establishment of numerous state of the art, specialist falcon hospitals. These facilities are equipped with the latest modern technology and enable medical practitioners to perform complicated procedures on falcons, ranging from full anesthetic and endoscopy to invasive surgery and treatment of all microbiological ailments.
In Ras Al Khaimah at the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort, a newly established falconry centre aims to educate visitors on the falconry history of Arabia. They are conducting introductory falconry courses, a first in the Middle East, teaching students the principles of bird of prey husbandry and training. An onsite laboratory and breeding program also exist with the aim to reintroduce native species onto the reserve.
In an age where hunting sports are coming under continuously greater international pressure from animal rights activists, the UAE is undoubtedly one of the leading countries in ensuring the long term survival of falconry, and thereby preserving one of the most spectacular and culturally significant art forms for the generations to come.
__________________________________________________ ___
أرجوـآ منكم تسـآعدوني .. :(5):