the sale of rare and distinctive falcons that have been hunted during their annual migration JEDDAH: The second International Falcon Hunters Auction will run from Oct.1-Nov.15, with the event being organized by the Saudi Falcons Club. The club’s official spokesman, Walid Al-Taweel, said the auction reflected the organization’s keenness to strengthen falconry heritage and to serve falcon hunters and breeders in the Kingdom and the region. “It also reaffirms the Kingdom’s leading role in supporting cultural and economic activities associated with falconry, where the auction aims to support investment in the field of falconry, the development of falcon auctions and the organization of the mechanism for buying and selling,” he said. “The club’s teams in the central, western, eastern and northern areas will receive the owner of the falcon that has been hunted, using bait or a net to examine it (the bird), and document the process. The club will provide housing and transportation for the owners of falcons (hunters) to the auction site. The falcon will be put on sale during a live, competitive and fast auction broadcast on television and various club accounts on social media platforms. The sale and purchase process will be free of charge.” He explained that, once a falcon was sold, the buyer would receive an export certificate and an electronic chip would be inserted into the falcon, in addition to official documents being issued to complete the sale. HIGHLIGHT The club’s first official auction, which was held last year, had sales exceeding SR10 million ($2.6 million). Its success and large turnout paved the way for the International Falcon Breeders Auction. The auction concluded on Sept. 5, with record sales achieved over 32 days, amounting to SR8 million for 443 falcons. The 45-day event will see the sale of rare and distinctive falcons that have been hunted during their annual migration. It coincides with the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, which runs from Oct. 1-10 at the club’s headquarters. The exhibition is the largest of its kind for falcons, hunting and falcon accessories. It will have display areas, weapon pavilions, art and family interaction sections, shooting fields, a falconer of the future area, as well as a digital museum and heritage events. The club’s first official auction, which was held last year, had sales exceeding SR10 million ($2.6 million). Its success and large turnout paved the way for the International Falcon Breeders Auction. The auction concluded on Sept. 5, with record sales achieved over 32 days, amounting to SR8 million for 443 falcons. Only vaccinated people can take part in the second auction. A range of precautionary measures will be applied to prevent the spread of COVID-19.