SAUDI ARABIA: Despite a government ban on bird hunting, young Saudis head to the Najd desert near the capital to hunt migratory birds as the summer heat begins to abate

Record ID: 189022

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Despite a government ban on bird hunting, young Saudis head to the Najd desert near the capital to hunt migratory birds as the summer heat begins to abate
  • Date: 8th October 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BIRD HUNGER SOU'AD AL- RASHEEDI, SAYING: "We go out into the wildlife every Wednesday. We hunt birds and eat them and feel happy and go back home."
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVA2CRVRIG8QSQ8KIJZP11AUVVFJ
  • Story Text: As the searing summer heat begins to abate in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh's bird hunters head into the desert - despite a government ban on their treasured pastime.
    The Saudi Commission for Wildlife has prohibited the hunting of migratory birds in a bid to prevent the spread of bird flu.
    But hunters in the Najd desert say they want to make the most of the short hunting season, when flocks of migratory birds can be found in the desert trees.
    "Migratory birds abound at this time, they leave one continent to go to another. So, we go out to hunt at this time. The migration period lasts about a month. First come the crown birds, then come the bustards," said hunter Majed al-Buqumi.
    Catching the birds is only part of the enjoyment, the hunters say. They use the bird meat to make a traditional Saudi dish known as 'kabsah'.
    But the hunting itself is a tradition that goes back through the generations.
    "Hunting in Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Saudi life and culture, from the time of our parents and grandparents. The Saudi Wildlife Society has banned bird hunting, especially this year for fear of the spread of bird flu, but the Saudi love of hunting brings them to break the ban and go out hunting," said bird hunter Faisal al-Dakheel.
    Five years ago, the bird flu virus was found in birds at a poultry market on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, just weeks before nearly two million people were due to arrive in the country for the annual haj pilgrimage.
    And in 2009 Saudi Arabia set up thermal cameras at its airports and increased the number of its medics as part of its measures to limit the spread of the H1N1 flu during the haj.
    The kingdom is now preparing to host thousands of people for this year's pilgrimage.
    But the government ban on the hunting of migratory birds has done little to hamper the enthusiasm of the kingdom's bird hunters, who say they want to ensure the tradition survives.
    "We learnt this hobby (hunting) from our fathers and brothers and neighbours. It is the hunting hobby where we go on an outing and breathe clean air. Now, we are teaching this hobby to our children so that this hobby doesn't get forgotten, and so that they leave the house, leave the city and breathe fresh air," said Abdullah al-Rasheedi who was out hunting with his two young sons.
    No hunting trip is complete without a camp fire and a meal of kabsah, made with rice, spices - and fresh bird meat.
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