Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has presented 100 falcons raised at the Al Ain Pro-Falcon farm to the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex).
Shaikh Khalifa's support for the exhibition aims to increase awareness about the importance of protecting wild birds that are threatened with extinction.
It also emphasises the importance of the UAE's traditions and the need to preserve them for future generations.
The UAE devotes special care to protecting wildlife. Raising birds in captivity ensures that falcon hunting can continue.
This year's exhibition ended its successful four-day run yesterday with thousands of visitors having attended the annual event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).
Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Event Director of Adihex and Communications Director of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach), said: "We received very positive feedback from exhibitors and many indicated that they would return next year ... I am very proud to be a part of this committee, which has organised the best exhibition to date."
"In addition to a high turnout from visitors, we were also proud to receive General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, who visited Adihex," Al Qubaisi said.
Major draws
Visitors on the third day of the exhibition on Friday numbered nearly 24,000. One of the most popular parts of the exhibition was the weaponry section.
Along with 550 exhibitors and four country pavilions that were spread over a 30,000-square metre area, this year's event also saw the return of the saluki beauty competition, the camel auction, cultural activities including the Arabic coffee-brewing competition, and a painting and photography competition organised by Adach.
This year's exhibition also included the first annual world Arabian horse conference.
— With inputs from WAM
