Riyadh
A large crowd of falcon enthusiasts gathered to witness the auction of two exceptional falcons near the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The event, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, is being held at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and will continue until Nov. 15.
One falcon, a young Shaheen caught in Hafar Al-Batin, 430 km north of Riyadh, was presented by falconers Mahdi, Khalaf, Rakan and Nawaf Al-Jumaili.
Bidding started at SR100,000 but closed at SR240,000 ($64,000), making it the most expensive falcon sold so far at this year’s auction, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Another Shaheen falcon from the Al-Lith area was sold for SR150,000. The bird was 15 inches long, 15.25 inches wide and weighed 0.99 kg.
The Saudi Falcons Club offers extensive services to falconers throughout the hunting season, including housing and transporting birds to the auction site from various regions.
The auction is broadcast live on television and social media, making for fast-paced, competitive bidding, the SPA reported.
It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural, economic and historical heritage in line with Vision 2030.
The event supports falconry activities and aims to develop the local falcon auction market, positioning it as a global hub for enthusiasts.
Moreover, it seeks to regulate the buying and selling of falcons in the Kingdom while protecting endangered species.
