Through the eyes of a falcon
documentary
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) provide a spectacular backdrop and desert landscape in the fascinating film project showcasing the conservation of Saker falcons.
The documentary about the falcons was shot both on land and in the air by the German public TV broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk, part of the leading ARD channel, with the collaboration of Sheikh Butti bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and the renowned wildlife film-maker, Christian Herrmann. It is sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Sheikh Butti's UAE Falcon Breeding Centre has conducted pioneering research into the breeding and rearing of endangered falcons, culminating in the release of these falcons back into the wild. The documentary covers all the complex stages of this process, from hatching to the eventual release of a small group of birds.
Filming took more than eight months. It follows the progress of young Saker falcons bred in Sheikh Butti's falcon breeding centre, from chicks to fledglings, and then to young adults. The film also highlights the work conducted in the DDCR by its Conservation Manager Greg Simkins as he trains the falcons to fly, explore and hunt in the desert around Al Maha.
The film concludes with Sheikh Butti releasing the birds back into the wild in Uzbekistan, a primary breeding area for Saker falcons and the start of their migratory route which passes through Arabia and onwards into Ethiopia.
Sheikh Butti said: "My family has used falcons in the noble tradition of falconry for many generations, and over the last 20 years this has changed from training falcons caught in the wild, to falcons bred in captivity. I am proud to be part of this exciting change; culminating in 2006, with the release of these captive-bred falcons back in the wild."
Furthering research into the Saker falcon's life cycle, the birds were fitted with satellite tracking devices on their release, and their progress is now charted along their migration routes on a weekly basis. Information gathered will lead to a better understanding of the threats faced by the species and hopefully their eventual breeding within their natural habitat.
The six birds' lives began when Sheikh Butti and falcon breeder Howard Waller successfully incubated and hatched the chicks, two females and four males. The ARD crew spent many painstaking hours in the desert surrounding Al Maha filming the birds, taking full advantage of the pristine desert landscapes.
New high-tech, lightweight high definition mini-cameras were used to film never-before-seen aerial footage taken from a remote-controlled model aircraft, showing young falcons hunting while being trained to follow and hunt their prey. The camera was also fitted into specially-designed nesting boxes, allowing close-up recording of the six falcons featured in the film.
Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon has been produced in three languages, German, English and Arabic. The film has been broadcast in Germany and other European countries and it is also screened onboard Emirates' aircraft worldwide, highlighting the conservation efforts of the DDCR, Al Maha and Dubai's efforts to promote its natural reserve.
• Emirates Airline, is hosting Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon, at St James Cavalier on February 23 and 24 with shows at 1, 2 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Admission is free and is on first-come-first-served basis. Falconry expert Lawrence Formosa will be displaying his magnificent falcon in between screenings.
The documentary about the falcons was shot both on land and in the air by the German public TV broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk, part of the leading ARD channel, with the collaboration of Sheikh Butti bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and the renowned wildlife film-maker, Christian Herrmann. It is sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Sheikh Butti's UAE Falcon Breeding Centre has conducted pioneering research into the breeding and rearing of endangered falcons, culminating in the release of these falcons back into the wild. The documentary covers all the complex stages of this process, from hatching to the eventual release of a small group of birds.
Filming took more than eight months. It follows the progress of young Saker falcons bred in Sheikh Butti's falcon breeding centre, from chicks to fledglings, and then to young adults. The film also highlights the work conducted in the DDCR by its Conservation Manager Greg Simkins as he trains the falcons to fly, explore and hunt in the desert around Al Maha.
The film concludes with Sheikh Butti releasing the birds back into the wild in Uzbekistan, a primary breeding area for Saker falcons and the start of their migratory route which passes through Arabia and onwards into Ethiopia.
Sheikh Butti said: "My family has used falcons in the noble tradition of falconry for many generations, and over the last 20 years this has changed from training falcons caught in the wild, to falcons bred in captivity. I am proud to be part of this exciting change; culminating in 2006, with the release of these captive-bred falcons back in the wild."
Furthering research into the Saker falcon's life cycle, the birds were fitted with satellite tracking devices on their release, and their progress is now charted along their migration routes on a weekly basis. Information gathered will lead to a better understanding of the threats faced by the species and hopefully their eventual breeding within their natural habitat.
The six birds' lives began when Sheikh Butti and falcon breeder Howard Waller successfully incubated and hatched the chicks, two females and four males. The ARD crew spent many painstaking hours in the desert surrounding Al Maha filming the birds, taking full advantage of the pristine desert landscapes.
New high-tech, lightweight high definition mini-cameras were used to film never-before-seen aerial footage taken from a remote-controlled model aircraft, showing young falcons hunting while being trained to follow and hunt their prey. The camera was also fitted into specially-designed nesting boxes, allowing close-up recording of the six falcons featured in the film.
Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon has been produced in three languages, German, English and Arabic. The film has been broadcast in Germany and other European countries and it is also screened onboard Emirates' aircraft worldwide, highlighting the conservation efforts of the DDCR, Al Maha and Dubai's efforts to promote its natural reserve.
• Emirates Airline, is hosting Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon, at St James Cavalier on February 23 and 24 with shows at 1, 2 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Admission is free and is on first-come-first-served basis. Falconry expert Lawrence Formosa will be displaying his magnificent falcon in between screenings.