Abu Dhabi Week enjoys a tour of Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the largest of its kind in the world, with hospital director and senior veterinarian Dr Margit Muller

Dr. Muller takes time out from managing this busy hospital to tell us about falcon emergency treatments, conservation, and to explain why all of her falcons are passport holders.

How did you first become involved in working with falcons?

I always found them fascinating. Falcons are majestic, magnificent birds.

While I was studying, I had the opportunity to work with falcons for the first time. This experience was like a virus that caught hold of me and wouldn’t let me go!

The more I worked with falcons, the more I wanted to learn about them. It’s a constant learning process. When you look into their little black eyes and they look back at you, you can’t help but love them.

What type of medical emergencies does ADFH deal with?

The main issue that we deal with is when one falcon has attacked another. We always have a team on duty 24 hours a day, ready to deal with an emergency. If a falcon has a serious injury, they cannot wait until the next day to get treatment, so we are here for them - ready to provide the help that they need.

During our hospital tour we found it interesting to watch the falcons getting their beaks trimmed and have manicures. We also noticed an incubator. What is that used for?

The incubator is used for baby falcons, especially premature birds. A lot of the medical equipment used in our hospital is similar to the equipment that’s used in paediatrics.

When falcons get very sick, they lie down on their chest. At this point we put them into the incubator so that they can get the proper medicine, while being isolated from the other birds.

Are your falcons used for hunting?

In the UAE it’s forbidden to use falcons for hunting but you can still train your birds. Our falcons are trained but they must go abroad to hunt, so their owners take them to countries such as Morocco or Pakistan.

A falcon needs to have a passport in order to travel on a plane. The UAE is the first country worldwide to have falcon passports. It makes life easier; all of our falcons have passports.

If you are travelling with your falcon and you can’t produce its passport, then the falcon will be confiscated and kept in holding. The law is very strict.

Before the falcons leave to go hunting they must be tested and provided with a certificate stating that they do not have influenza.

Once they return from their trip, they go directly from the airport into quarantine for retesting. After four days the bird is returned to its owner.

I understand that falcons are an endangered species. How does ADFH help to conserve these birds?

Falcons are not an indigenous species. The birds do not stay in the UAE all year round because of the climate, it’s too hot for them here. The UAE is on a passage or a migratory route and we often find sick falcons that are passing through. We rehabilitate them and send them back on the main migration route so that they can breed again.

What facilities and services are provided in your five-star pet boarding hotel?

We have a pick up and drop off service for the animals and of course they have access to our fully equipped clinic.

A professional grooming team is on hand to shower the animals and cut their hair. The animals are supplied with plenty of toys and food.

ADFH pet care facilities include separate buildings for dogs and cats. Dogs have big rooms, with a door so that they can go outside and play in the garden. They have a big enclosed area to play and exercise in. We also have a new agility area for dogs.

Cats have their own individual rooms containing; a sunbath shelf to enjoy the sun, a big scratching tray and plenty of space to move around.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

It never gets boring. At the same time, it’s a huge challenge because every falcon has their own personality. They are very big but also very fragile, this means that you need to be accurate in your diagnosis. For the owners, a falcon is like a child – an important family member that must be treated with great care.

My job is so diverse, I deal with pets, falcons and tourists on a daily basis. I love that we have the opportunity to improve the health conditions of falcons and pets here in this hospital.

Catriona Doherty