Emirates Airline, the Dubai-based international airline, is hosting the documentary film Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon, at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta. Viewing, which will be free of charge on first come first serve basis, will be held at 1pm; 2pm; 3pm; 4pm and 5pm, on both Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February.
The 30-minute film showcases an amazing journey of young falcons, including their birth in a falcon breeding centre in Dubai, subsequent preparation and training for return to the wild and finally their release in the wild in Uzbekistan. The documentary was shot at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).
The Saker falcon is one of the most endangered birds of prey on earth, with an estimated 8000 breeding pairs worldwide. In Dubai, the German public TV broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk, with the collaboration of His Highness Sheik Butti bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and wildlife filmmaker Christian Herrmann and sponsored by Emirates Airline, captured breathtaking footage of the falcons with the use of three video cameras with different resolution formats.
New high-tech, lightweight HD mini-cameras were used to film this never-before-seen aerial footage taken from a remote-controlled model aircraft, showing young falcons hunting a lure while being trained to follow and hunt their prey. The camera was also fitted into specially-designed nesting boxes, allowing close-up recording of the six falcons featured in the film.
Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon also highlights the work conducted in the DDCR by its Conservation Manager Greg Simkins as he trains the falcons to fly, explore and hunt in the desert around Al Maha.
Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates’ Manager for Malta and Cyprus, said: “This film is a memorable and striking record of an exciting conservation initiative, showing the value of the conservation work being done by the DDCR and Al Maha. We hope that its exposure in Malta will encourage interest and appreciation for the natural environment and conservation.”
Al Maha was instrumental in setting up this unique reserve, which received permanent protection under Ruler’s Decree, and its management also serves on the Dubai Conservation Board, chaired by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group.
The DDCR covers 225 sq kms, five per cent of Dubai’s total land area. The Reserve operates as a National Park with land area under wildlife management, and is the only location in the country where visitors can experience the desert and its wildlife.
Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon, has been already honoured with three awards – first place in the category “filmlet” at the GreenScreen Nature Festival in Eckernförde and received two Honorary Awards for “Cinematography” and “Best Conservation Story”. Group bookings can be reserved by sending an email to [email protected].