Do falcons in the UAE need passports to travel?

Yes, falcons in the UAE are issued government passports to facilitate international travel for training, breeding, and competitions.

What is the purpose of a falcon passport?

Falcon passports verify a bird's identity, ownership, and health status, combat wildlife smuggling, and ensure the export of captive-bred falcons for conservation.

Which countries accept UAE-issued falcon passports?

UAE-issued falcon passports are accepted in many Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, with some European countries also accepting them under certain conditions.

Home / Lifestyle / Falcons Fly High: Your Bird Needs a Passport!

Falcons Fly High: Your Bird Needs a Passport!

29 Jan

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Summary

Falcons in the UAE receive government-issued passports.
Passports facilitate international travel for training and breeding.
The system combats smuggling and aids species conservation.

Falcons Fly High: Your Bird Needs a Passport!

In a remarkable blend of ancient tradition and modern regulation, falcons in the United Arab Emirates are now issued official passports. This initiative allows these noble birds to travel internationally for purposes such as training, breeding, and participation in competitions. The UAE government introduced these passports to streamline cross-border movement, ensuring a universally accepted document that verifies a falcon's identity, ownership, and health status.

The falcon passport system plays a vital role in combating the illegal smuggling of wild animals, a significant global concern. Furthermore, it is instrumental in promoting the conservation of falcon species by ensuring that only captive-bred birds are exported. This measure safeguards both individual birds and the species' long-term survival.

These passports contain unique identification details like microchip numbers, gender, and breed, along with veterinary and vaccination records. While traditional falconry is deeply ingrained in Gulf culture, the advent of these passports signifies a progressive adaptation to contemporary travel demands. Falcons with UAE passports can travel to numerous countries, primarily within the Gulf states, and some European nations, provided all airline and international regulations, including CITES, are met.