IFP Exclusive

Playing with Iranian Raptors, Popular Entertainment of Arab Sheikhs

Playing with Iranian predatory birds is among the most popular entertainments among Arab sheikhs, costing them millions of dollars.

Manager of the Hunt and Prey Office at Iran’s Department of Environment, Ali Teymouri, referred to the smuggling of Iranian raptors to other countries, especially the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and said playing with these birds is among the most popular amusements of the Arab sheikhs.

“Due to its closeness to these countries, Iran has turned into a profitable hub for bird smugglers particularly in the southern provinces of Hormozgan, Khuzestan, and Fars which are home to these types of birds,” he was quoted as saying in a Farsi report by the Young Journalists Club (YJC).

Predatory birds include vultures, hawks and eagles. During September and November, these birds are seen in the Iranian sky and turn it into a great scene for birdwatching. However, bird hunters ambush to hunt these birds and sell them to the smugglers in return for small amounts of Arabic money.

Referring to the hunting bird trade in the Persian Gulf market, Teymouri said the trade dates back to a long time ago. “There is no doubt that an external network of bird smugglers is active in this trade in Iran. This means either the hunters or the smugglers are foreign nationals,” he said.

Raptors are among the unique symbols of the Iranian nature. Many believe that this is the officials in charge who should step into the fray and put an end to this nasty smuggling by adopting legal mechanism.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

IAEA chief to visit Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, on Tuesday confirmed reports that its chief Rafael Grossi…

5 hours ago

Israel will invade Gaza’s Rafah ‘with or without deal’ with Hamas: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on  Tuesday the army will invade Rafah in southern…

5 hours ago

Over 10,000 people missing under rubble across Gaza

The Palestinian Civil Defense service on Tuesday reported more than 10,000 people are still missing…

8 hours ago

Reoort: Raisi’s administration sets inflation record

Iran’s Ham-Mihan newspaper says the country has experienced its highest inflation in 80 years during…

8 hours ago

Rival Palestinian groups Fatah, Hamas meet in China

Officials from Rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas have held a meeting in China for…

8 hours ago

US advocacy groups support Palestine solidarity campus protests amid Gaza war

Dozens of faith, civil rights and progressive groups in the United States have expressed solidarity…

11 hours ago