奇速英语

卡塔尔猎鹰医院带我们走进猎鹰文化

The Souq Waqif medical center sits in the historic center of Doha, the capital of Qatar. It appears to be a hospital with the latest equipment for medical care. Workers move about while sounds and lights come out of operating rooms. Specialists look at X-rays as doctors prepare for surgery. There is just one thing: The rooms are filled with falcons(猎鹰).

In the small, wealthy country of Qatar, falcons are among the nation’s most prized residents. Long respected across the Arabian Peninsula(阿拉伯半岛) for their hunting abilities, falcons are now used to show a person’s wealth or social standing.

Although less common now than in ancient times, the art of falconry(训鹰术) is still passed down from one generation to the next in Qatar and other Persian Gulf(波斯湾) states. In recent years, groups that teach the sport have started up across the area. Falcons compete in an increasing number of races and beauty events. The finest falcons sell for at least a few thousand dollars and Qataris are willing to pay to keep them healthy.

Dr. Ikdam Al Karkhi is Souq Waqif hospital director. He said, “The establishment of the hospital was to support the hobby and heritage of raising falcons.” He added, “Keeping them alive and well is an essential duty.” Public hospitals like Souq Waqif offer care to about 30,000 sick and wounded birds a year. The hospital is often full of owners and trainers bringing their birds in for check-ups, medical tests, feather replacements, and surgeries.

The falcon’s hunt may be a respected tradition, but it is also difficult and dangerous work. At times, the cornered animal fights back, injures the falcon, and damages its wings. Each of a falcon’s feathers is important for its ability to fly, necessitating careful feather replacement after fights. Doctors pull from a collection of feathers to find one that perfectly matches the wounded bird. “If these damaged feathers remain, it can cause loss or reduction of the bird’s fitness,” Al Karkhi said. “They must be treated.”