PUTIN

More news
Arab interest in falcons has a dark side, with out-of-control poaching and smuggling to the Gulf region

Kremlin-backed Falcon Project Sparks Smuggling Fears

The king motions for the white falcon to be brought closer and reaches out to stroke its chest, smiling as the bird blindly swivels its head, a hood covering its eyes.Russia's Vladimir Putin this month engaged in some falcon diplomacy on a Middle East tour, gifting prized gyrfalcons to Saudi King Salman and Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, a falconry enthusiast.In Russia, however, Arab interest in falcons has a dark side, with out-of-control poaching and smuggling to the Gulf region, where they find an eager market thanks to deep-rooted hunting traditions.

Pages

IBT Spotlight

We Help Businesses Find B2B Service Providers They Can Trust.