Pakistan Allows Dubai Ruler To 'Export' 150 Falcons Of Rare Species

Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum has been issued a special permit by the Pakistan government allowing him to “export” 150 falcons of rare species from Pakistan to the UAE.
Dawn reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted the permission and the permit was sent to the UAE’s embassy in Islamabad.

Arab hunters use Peregrine and Saker, the two rare species, for trapping houbara bustards. The aging falcons have to be replaced with younger ones which is why the hunters are always in need for these birds.

However, International nature conservation treaties including the Switzerland-based Conven­tion on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), to which Pakistan is a signatory, protect falcons and restrict their trans-boundary travel. Moreover, Pakistan's wildlife protection laws bar trapping and trading in falcons.

The permit was given to the UAE vice president on September 15, under the signature of foreign ministry's deputy chief of protocol.