In the echoing halls of Abu Dhabi’s International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, hundreds of falcons perch under bright lights. Their heads are covered with snug, decorated hoods to block their vision and keep them calm.
In a small glass room marked Elite Falcons Hall, four young birds belonging to an undisclosed Emirati sheikh are displayed like precious jewels. With its polished glass, controlled lighting, and plush seating, the room is accessible only to authorized visitors.
These falcons hold Emirati passports, travel the world by jet, and have access to specialized hospitals. Some are more expensive than luxury cars—an American falcon at the exhibition is priced at AED 350,000 (£71,000). The most prestigious birds ride in Range Rovers and Bentleys fitted with perches between the front seats.
Falcons on display in Abu Dhabi. The traditional hunting birds have become symbols of wealth and prestige in the UAE. Photograph: Courtesy of ARIJ
For thousands of years, people have used falcons for hunting across the vast Arabian desert. In the UAE, however, this Bedouin tradition has evolved into a display of wealth and prestige tailored to the tastes of the modern Gulf elite. As falconry has grown into a multimillion-dollar global industry, an investigation by the Guardian and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) reveals that it is fueled by a shadow trade involving the smuggling and illegal capture of wild birds.
Vanishing Chicks
Far from the hot plains and glass skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi, conservationists and police in rural UK counties are reporting a troubling trend. Peregrine falcon chicks are disappearing from remote cliff ledges and treetop nests that are inaccessible without specialized climbing gear. According to police witness statements, some of these chicks later end up in Middle Eastern deserts, accompanied by forged documents, sold to buyers who believed they were legitimate.
“Hundreds of birds go missing each year,” says Kevin Kelly of the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
The cold climate of northern Europe is considered ideal for producing tough, fast birds, and British-bred falcons from established bloodlines carry extra prestige. Legally, only captive-bred peregrine falcons can be traded. Taking birds from the wild is prohibited, as they are strictly protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Exclusive data shared with the Guardian and ARIJ by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) shows that from 2014 to 2023, there were 126 reported nest raids, 21 of which have been confirmed through camera footage, DNA analysis, or eyewitness accounts. All are believed to be linked to the peregrine falcon trade.
Experts and police say demand for wild birds appears to come from two sources. The first is directly from falconers in the Middle East who want wild birds for racing. The second is from breeding facilities that use them as breeding stock to meet a growing demand for hybrid falcons and legally exportable, captive-bred birds.
At the Abu Dhabi exhibition, traders openly discuss their desire for wild-caught birds—though they are not formally advertised, as the practice is illegal.
A female wild peregrine about to be released in Scotland. For falcon racing, Scottish wild birds are sought after for their superior strength and speed compared with captive-bred racers. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian
“British falcons are in very high demand in the UAE because of their winning race records, pure bloodlines, and speed,” says an employee of a prominent Emirati falconry organization. He adds that most Emirati falconers prefer wild-caught falcons, as “farm-bred falcons might come from mixed bloodlines, while wild-caught birds are pure and perform better.” This preference for wild-caught British falcons drives the illegal trade.Four other farm owners and sellers, along with two falconers at the exhibition, expressed similar concerns. The demand for British birds has led to a sharp rise in exports. Police report that last year, 4,000 peregrine falcons or peregrine hybrids were exported from the UK to the Middle East, increasing to 5,000 this year. According to data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), 88% of all peregrine falcons exported from the UK in 2023 went to the UAE. While it’s unclear how many of these birds were taken from the wild, police have confirmed that at least some were.
To meet the growing export demand, there has been a significant increase in UK breeders. The NWCU reports that there are now about 160 breeding facilities in the UK, up from around 27 in the 1980s. All of these facilities have connections to the Middle East, either being owned by residents from the region or selling directly to buyers there.
The most sought-after falcon for export is the gyr peregrine, known for its speed and strength, which is a cross between a peregrine falcon mother and a gyr falcon father. Female offspring are infertile, driving high demand for female peregrines in breeding facilities. Freedom of information data shows that in 2024, 1,200 peregrine falcons were registered in captive breeding facilities, up from 750 in 2000.
DNA analysis, relying on hundreds of samples from wild birds provided by volunteers, confirms that some of these birds were taken from the wild. PC Gavin Ross, who leads efforts against falcon thieves, states, “The DNA work shows there are a number of wild birds within captive breeding centres up and down the country.”
Police lack the resources to inspect all breeding facilities but report that more than half of those they investigate are non-compliant. Offences include failing to register birds, providing false parentage declarations, and selling wild-caught birds. In 2023 and 2024, 27 physical inspections of peregrine falcon breeding facilities were conducted—a significant increase from previous years. During these checks, 15 wild birds were identified and confirmed through DNA testing.
Some industry experts dispute these findings, arguing that trafficking is minimal or nonexistent. Dr. Nick Fox, director of International Wildlife Consultants (UK) Ltd, who has supplied falcons to the royal families of the UAE and Bahrain, says, “In reality, the level of illegal take described by the NWCU is a handful of birds per year.” Fox, awarded an OBE for falcon conservation, adds, “Breeding falcons in the UK has increased hugely over the past 25 years as expertise has developed. Basically, we have succeeded in killing the market for wild birds.”
Julian Mühle, CEO of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF), rejects the idea that Emirati falconers are actively seeking wild-caught British birds. He states, “Comments gathered informally at an exhibition do not reflect the established preferences in the region.” Mühle argues that finding wild falcons in breeding facilities “should not be interpreted as evidence of widespread criminality.” He adds that instances of chicks being taken from wild nests, “while serious, are extremely rare and, crucially, not linked to the legitimate falconry community.”
Prominent UAE falcon trader Khaled Bin Soufan claims there is “zero” smuggling of wild birds from the UK, saying, “It isnot allowed.”
The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition did not respond to a request for comment.
Threatened by Greed
Wild peregrine falcons spend their lives soaring above cliffs and cathedrals across the UK, slicing through the cool air at incredible speeds. A few may trade that for a life flying over golden deserts and sprawling glass cities. Yet many kept in captivity rarely—if ever—take flight, according to Ross. Some birds in breeding facilities are “treated like battery chickens,” he says, fed supplements to produce up to 14 eggs in a single season.
Peregrine falcons were on the brink of extinction in the UK in the 1950s until the insecticide DDT was banned and stronger legal protections were introduced. Their recovery has been a conservation success story, with 1,750 breeding pairs now in the wild. But today, they are threatened by greed, says Ross. “If a blind eye was turned to [the illegal taking of birds], the peregrine would again be under threat of extinction.”
The return of peregrine falcons in Britain is a rare conservation success, but some experts say nest raiding has increased in recent years.
While the overall population is now considered stable, some areas are targeted more than others. “Locally we’re seeing a decline in peregrine falcons,” says George Smith, who monitors 60 nests across southeast Scotland. “When they disappear, the food chain gets wrecked.”
Smith has been monitoring the birds for nearly 40 years. This year, he believes four nests containing at least 10 chicks in his area were raided for falconry, and that nationally around 100 are taken. He tries not to get too attached to the birds he watches. “It’s pretty bad just now,” he says. “Nest raiding was bad in the early ’70s, and now it has returned.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the illegal trafficking of falcons from Britain to the Middle East designed to cover a range of questions from basic to more advanced
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Whats happening Why is this in the news
Theres a growing illegal trade where rare falcons particularly peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons are being stolen from the wild in Britain and smuggled to the Middle East to be sold for high prices to wealthy collectors and falconers
2 Why are these falcons so valuable in the Middle East
Falconry is a deeply rooted cultural tradition and a prestigious sport in the Gulf region Prized birds especially those with specific plumage or from certain wild lineages are status symbols and can sell for tens of thousands sometimes hundreds of thousands of pounds
3 Is all falconry illegal
No Licensed regulated falconry is legal in the UK and many other countries The problem is the illegal taking of protected wild birds and their smuggling which bypasses all conservation welfare and legal controls
4 How are the falcons taken from the wild
Thieves often locate active nests on remote cliffs or increasingly on urban structures like cathedrals and skyscrapers They rappel down or use other methods to steal chicks or trap adult birds
5 Where in Britain is this happening
Its a nationwide issue Hotspots include traditional cliff habitats in Scotland Wales and northern England but also cities where peregrines have adapted to nest on tall buildings
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What specific species are being targeted
The primary target is the peregrine falcon due to its speed and adaptability The gyrfalcon is an even highervalue prize Northern goshawks are also sometimes targeted
7 How are the birds smuggled out of the country
Traffickers use various methods hiding birds in specially modified luggage transporting them in vehicles through ports using fake documentation or using legal falconry permits as a cover for illegally sourced birds They often use complex routes through multiple European countries to disguise the origin
8 What are the main risks to the birds
The trafficking process is
