The demand for elite falcons in the Middle East is driving an illegal trade of British birds, threatening their survival. In the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, hundreds of falcons are displayed, some worth more than luxury cars. This trade is fueled by a shadow industry of smuggling and illegal capture of wild birds, with some chicks vanishing from remote cliff ledges and treetop nests in the UK, only to end up in the Middle East with fabricated documents. The cold climate of northern Europe is ideal for creating tough, fast birds, and British-bred birds from established lines carry additional prestige. However, legally, only captive-bred peregrine falcons can be traded, and birds cannot be taken from the wild due to strict protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Exclusive data reveals 126 reports of nest raids from 2014 to 2023, with 21 confirmed using camera footage, DNA work, or eyewitness accounts, all linked to the peregrine falcon trade. The demand for wild birds comes from Middle Eastern falconers and some breeding facilities, with traders openly discussing their desire for wild-caught birds at the exhibition. This demand has driven soaring exports, with 4,000 peregrine or hybrid falcons exported to the Middle East last year, and 5,000 this year. In 2023, 88% of all peregrine falcons exported from the UK were sent to the UAE. DNA techniques prove some captive birds are wild-caught, and police identify non-compliant breeding facilities, with offenses ranging from non-registration to selling wild-caught birds. Experts dispute the scale of illegal trafficking, but the threat to wild peregrine falcons is real, with some areas experiencing a decline in their population. The illegal trade is driven by greed and the desire for prestigious, high-performing birds, endangering these iconic birds of prey.
