News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) has once again showcased its commitment to promoting sustainable hunting and the falcon breeding industry. The event, which began in 2003, has become a global platform for showcasing elite captive-bred falcons, attracting thousands of visitors, including Emirati falconers, enthusiasts from GCC countries, and international visitors.
ADIHEX has played a pivotal role in the development of the falcon breeding industry worldwide, with many experts crediting the exhibition for the significant growth in captive falcon production centers. Notably, the 19th edition of ADIHEX in 2022 witnessed the sale of the most expensive falcon in its history, the “Pure Gyre – Ultra White,” fetching over one million UAE Dirhams (about $275,000) in the annual falcon auction.
The upcoming 20th edition of ADIHEX, scheduled for August 23-29, 2023, is set to continue its success, thanks to sponsorship from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). Caracal International LLC is the sector partner, and several industry partners, including the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund and the European Foundation for Falconry and Conservation, are on board.
One of ADIHEX’s notable achievements is its role in reducing the need for falconers in the Gulf region to travel abroad to purchase falcons from private farms in Europe and America. Instead, they now have an international platform in Abu Dhabi to buy and sell the finest captive-bred falcons from top global breeding farms.
ADIHEX’s falcon auction and beauty contests have become highly anticipated events, attracting not only falconers but also companies operating in the falconry sector and owners of falcon breeding farms. The falcon production industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the demand for top-quality captive-bred falcons among falconers in the Gulf region.
Abu Dhabi’s commitment to falcon conservation and research is also noteworthy. Through collaborations with organizations like Cardiff University and the Beijing Institute of Genomics, Abu Dhabi has made strides in genetic research and understanding falcon species, further contributing to the sustainable use of these magnificent birds.
The shift toward using captive-bred falcons for falconry has not only relieved pressure on wild falcons but also improved the health and quality of the birds. ADIHEX has played a pivotal role in this transformation, cementing the UAE’s heritage in falconry and leading to the establishment of falcon farms worldwide to meet the growing demand for the sport.
In addition to fostering falconry, ADIHEX’s Etihad Cup for Falcons Races has incentivized farm and breeding center projects, spurring innovation in captive-bred falcon production. This has resulted in the availability of high-quality falcons for both racing and falconry.
Lastly, the recent establishment of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing underscores the commitment to promoting and preserving the ancient sport of falconry on a global scale.
ADIHEX continues to be a beacon for falcon enthusiasts and conservationists, solidifying its place as a global leader in the promotion of sustainable falconry and captive-bred falcons.
