SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: The sport of falconry has been practiced for centuries in the Arab states surrounding the Persian Gulf. Falcons are used to hunt slower birds and gazelle.</s>ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: The love for the sport has prompted the United Arab Emirates to promote it in part of Asia. As Dubai Television reports, the goal is preservation.</s>KIM KELAITA, DUBAI TV REPORTER (voice-over): For thousands of years, falcons have been a long part of the Arab world's culture and tradition. The Bedouins use falcons for hunting. Today, falconry is very much alive, but these days, instead of hunting, falconry is now the sport of choice for many in the United Arab Emirates. In keeping up with that sportsmanship, 75 falcons were released in to the wild near the Pakistani and Afghani borders. This program really is very useful for replenishment of the wild population of falcons.</s>KELAITA: Aiming to support international efforts in conserving all endangered species and the magnificent birds in particular, the United Arab Emirates released the
Falcons Released in Keeping With Arab Tradition