DOHA: An attempt of bird trafficking by some shady elements was failed by the Law-Enforcement Agency, who tried to smuggle 70 bustards into the country..
Bustards are known in Arabic as ‘hubara’, which is the most favourite prey of the falcons, and so they are used in falconry whose season has begun here.
Bustards are expensive and cost a few thousand riyals depending on its need and who wants to buy it. Falconers release bustards into the wild for their falcons to hunt.
Their meat is eaten. Migratory bustards are few. Qatar also has a bustard breeding centre in Rawdat Al Faras.
Meanwhile, the 70 bustards that were caught by personnel from the Qatari Coast and Border Security Department were being brought into Qatar in a boat.
A press statement issued by the Ministry of Interior said the General Directorate of the Coasts and Border Security Guards foiled the bustard smuggling bid early yesterday.
The person in the boat was taken into custody and the birds have been seized. Legal action is being taken against the person.
The ministry release said just a few days ago the Coast Guards had prevented an attempt to smuggle into the country some 87 bustards through Simaisima coast. The case was referred to the Ministry of Environment for further investigation.
