Innovative Hunting

In Qatar, electronic birds were used as hunting bait during falconry festivals to conserve the native species of Houbara.

Houbara Bustards were traditionally caught by Bedouin hunters for food. In recent decades, Houbaras have also been hunted by falconers for sport. However, the decline in Houbara numbers prompted organisations of falconry festivals in Qatar to resort to the use of electronic birds. Fortunately, breeding programmes in Qatar and across the Middle East have successfully seen Houbara numbers rise. So, the electronic versions of the birds have been shelved for the time being, and live Houbaras are back on the menu.