The Hunters and enthusiasts had a blast as the biggest hunting show kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. From hunting rifles, revolvers, heritage daggers, binoculars and swords to falconry, gauntlets, lures, arrows and camping tailors, wide variety equipment and heritage pieces were everywhere at the 17^th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex).

The five-day show, the largest event of its kind in the field of hunting, equestrian and heritage preservation, is taking big-city people into the heart of desert life and Bedouin traditions. Held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), the exhibition will run until August 31.

This year, Adihex is centred around The Year of Tolerance and environment preservation.

Craftsmanship on show

Outdoor lovers and adventurers got to show off more of their ‘unusual’ creations and tools such as swivels hoods, jesses and leashes for falcons.  From transport essentials like camping trailers, SUVs, bikes and ATVs to the fascinating elements ­­- like gold tiaras for horses, Adihex has got it all.

Arts, culture, poetry

Adihex has also been a place for artists and art lovers. Paintings, equestrian and falconry art, sculptures and trophies were exhibited.

For big shoppers, there was an Arabian camel auction, a wonderful immersion in Arabic culture, featuring male and female calves that can grow into amazing racers.

Falconers then took the opportunity to express their love for the birds of prey in the form of poems. They competed in three poetry categories: the best description of a falcon, the best description of a hunt, and the best eulogy for the loss of a bird. Falcon auction, on the other hand, is being held daily at the exhibition.

Stunning animals

For the first time at Adihex, a unique international dog show is taking the stage, with more than 200 competing dogs from more than 15 countries.

Saluki and falcon beauty competitions and nabati poetry have also been lined up for visitors.

‘Millions of birds killed in the region every year’

With millions of birds being killed and taken around the region every year, a number of countries, including the UAE, are working together to put an end to the illegal trade of raptors.

Their efforts were the focus of a workshop held on Tuesday at the opening of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adipex).

Titled ‘A Joint Workshop Against Illegal Trade in Birds of Prey’, the day-long session was among the activities held as the five-day Adihex kicked off at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The hunting show is set to run until August 31.

Government officials and key experts called on the world to stop killing such important bird species.

“The illegal trade of birds of prey is a worldwide challenge and one of the greatest threats to the survival of these bird species,” Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said during his opening speech at the workshop.

“The protection and conservation of raptors are among the UAE’s top priorities, and we are coordinating with international organisations to see an end to the illegal trade and killing of birds.”

The workshop was organised by the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) in collaboration with Adihex organisers, the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation.

Ibrahim Khader, director of the Middle East Secretariat of BirdLife International, said between 1.7 million and 4.6 million birds are killed and being taken around the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq every year.

“High levels of illegal killings and taking of birds are being reported in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, “There is a need for a high-level review of national legislations on hunting in countries where birds are massively killed.”

Majid Al Mansouri, president of the IAF and managing director of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, said: “The strategy of the IFA focuses on combating illegal trade in birds of prey through initiatives that aim to improve the means of controlling international trade, while developing the capacity to rehabilitate and release birds of prey.”