ID :
20734
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 13:00
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Falcon, horse, camel auctions in Abu Dhabi 2008

Abu Dhabi, Sept. 23, 2008 (WAM) - The 'Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition' (Abu Dhabi 2008) will host a number of new special events, said Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Exhibition Manager and member of the Organizing Committee.

The event is expected to attract tens of thousands of interested visitors and advocates of traditional sports, which contributes to the UAE heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Among the most notable of these events are falcon, horse, and camel auctions, which had gained fame regionally and globally during past sessions of the exhibition.

After its popularity with owners of falcon farms in the first session of 2007, the falcon auction aims to promote the use of hybrid birds as an alternative to the endangered wild falcons, and activate plans and strategies for sustainable hunting by the balance between preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of the environment.

The auction will include falcons of the types: Biyour, 7/8, Gyr Shaheen, 3/4, Barbari, and 50/50.

Each exhibitor is allowed to participate with 4 falcons in the auction on condition that he provides full information on the falcon in terms of the color, size, and weight; a certificate; a two minute film on skills of his falcon(s); and if possible, the owners of the winning birds in beauty contests at the exhibition are required to submit their falcons to the auction. Non-participants in the Exhibition will pay 15% of the total amount which their falcons are fetched at the auction.

The Organising Committee has also organized the fourth horse auction during the Exhibition, with the participation of a large number of the most famous horse owners in the region and in the world, and a large number of mostly Arabian horses, which are highly-efficient with distinct excellence.

The auction is expected to attract large number of purchases like the previous sessions.

Interested buyers will be provided with a catalogue containing detailed information on each horse, including illustrative pictures and a presentation of its advantages, abilities and uses, with complete information on its origin and achievements in Arab and international horse-racing.

The UAE is recognised as one of the best countries in the world in regard to horse races and auctions, and it is a forum for the best horses, their owners, their trainers and jockeys worldwide.

During the Exhibition, the fourth auction for pedigree camels will be held, which is the only of its kind in terms of breeding camels in cooperation with the Veterinary Research Centre in Swihan.

About 80 of the UAE's best camels, donated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Hazza' bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be auctioned. The funds generated from the auction will go to subsidize camel research.

The previous auctions had already made high sales, with some camels (from the Centre in Swihan) selling for more than AED 2.5 million (about 700,000 dollars).

Camels give birth to one newborn every two years, but thanks to the embryo implantation procedure available at the Centre, one camel can give birth to at least five newborns a year.

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