nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, the UAE has increased its wildlife protections to international standards amid investigative reports of illegal falcon trading. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Syrian wineries and bars struggling with a lack of clear laws, displaced Palestinians’ temporary housing proving unsustainable in winter weather, and the last independent Sudanese radio program running out of funding.
In January 2026, the United Arab Emirates introduced new wildlife and agriculture legislation that will put it among the top wildlife restrictions in the Middle East. The new legislation aligns its wildlife protections with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Penalties for illegal wildlife trade have increased to more than $500,000—previously slightly over $8,000—and up to four years in prison. The legislative changes come amid investigative reports detailing widespread illegal falcon trading between the UK and the Emirates. The Guardian and the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism published a joint investigative report on 5 January 2026 documenting 126 reports of bird nests raided between 2014 and 2023, seemingly linked to the peregrine falcon trade.
Falconry in the Middle East dates back to Bedouin tradition, in which nomadic people in the Middle Eastern deserts used falcons for hunting. In modern times, falconry is a multi–million–dollar global industry. Prize birds can go for between $4,000 to $250,000 at auction. A 2024 falcon racing event in Saudi Arabia boasted a $9.6 million prize pool. The recent investigative report included interviews with attendees of Abu Dhabi’s International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, which revealed the reason behind the prominent illegal falcon trade: While farm–bred falcons may have mixed bloodlines, wild birds are more likely to maintain pure bloodlines. The interviews also showed the UAE’s specific desire for British falcons, noting their purer bloodlines and faster speeds. Notably, the British National Wildlife Crime Unit has reported an increase in falcon breeding facilities in the UK, all linked to the Middle East. CITES data shows that in 2023, 88% of UK Peregrines were exported to the UAE. In the investigative report, British police admitted that while they do not have the capacity to investigate every falcon breeding facility, 15 wild birds were discovered in just 27 facility investigations. Conservationists warn that illegal peregrine falcon trading could put the species back on the endangered list, despite peregrine falcons being listed as one of the UK’s protected species.
Experts— including prominent UAE falcon trainers, the CEO of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds, and the director of International Wildlife Consultants—disagree with the investigative report, arguing that the illegal falcon trade in the UAE is minimal or nonexistent.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from MENA:
- Syrian wineries and bars are struggling as the country’s new regime does not currently have a clear law around the sale of alcohol.
- Displaced Palestinians are living in tents for shelter, but the strong winter winds have killed at least four people, with three dying from tents collapsing and another from hypothermia.
- The budget for the last independent Sudanese radio station, which operates out of Amsterdam, is running out due to cuts to USAID funding.
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UAE cracks down on illegal wildlife trade amid investigative reports
Photo by Magda Ehlers via Pexels.
February 6, 2026
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in the Middle East and North Africa: the UAE is increasing its wildlife protections to international standards amid investigative reports of illegal falcon trading.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, the UAE has increased its wildlife protections to international standards amid investigative reports of illegal falcon trading. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Syrian wineries and bars struggling with a lack of clear laws, displaced Palestinians’ temporary housing proving unsustainable in winter weather, and the last independent Sudanese radio program running out of funding.
In January 2026, the United Arab Emirates introduced new wildlife and agriculture legislation that will put it among the top wildlife restrictions in the Middle East. The new legislation aligns its wildlife protections with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Penalties for illegal wildlife trade have increased to more than $500,000—previously slightly over $8,000—and up to four years in prison. The legislative changes come amid investigative reports detailing widespread illegal falcon trading between the UK and the Emirates. The Guardian and the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism published a joint investigative report on 5 January 2026 documenting 126 reports of bird nests raided between 2014 and 2023, seemingly linked to the peregrine falcon trade.
Falconry in the Middle East dates back to Bedouin tradition, in which nomadic people in the Middle Eastern deserts used falcons for hunting. In modern times, falconry is a multi–million–dollar global industry. Prize birds can go for between $4,000 to $250,000 at auction. A 2024 falcon racing event in Saudi Arabia boasted a $9.6 million prize pool. The recent investigative report included interviews with attendees of Abu Dhabi’s International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, which revealed the reason behind the prominent illegal falcon trade: While farm–bred falcons may have mixed bloodlines, wild birds are more likely to maintain pure bloodlines. The interviews also showed the UAE’s specific desire for British falcons, noting their purer bloodlines and faster speeds. Notably, the British National Wildlife Crime Unit has reported an increase in falcon breeding facilities in the UK, all linked to the Middle East. CITES data shows that in 2023, 88% of UK Peregrines were exported to the UAE. In the investigative report, British police admitted that while they do not have the capacity to investigate every falcon breeding facility, 15 wild birds were discovered in just 27 facility investigations. Conservationists warn that illegal peregrine falcon trading could put the species back on the endangered list, despite peregrine falcons being listed as one of the UK’s protected species.
Experts— including prominent UAE falcon trainers, the CEO of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds, and the director of International Wildlife Consultants—disagree with the investigative report, arguing that the illegal falcon trade in the UAE is minimal or nonexistent.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from MENA:
- Syrian wineries and bars are struggling as the country’s new regime does not currently have a clear law around the sale of alcohol.
- Displaced Palestinians are living in tents for shelter, but the strong winter winds have killed at least four people, with three dying from tents collapsing and another from hypothermia.
- The budget for the last independent Sudanese radio station, which operates out of Amsterdam, is running out due to cuts to USAID funding.
