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InvestigatesWild Not FreeHUNDREDS OF PROTECTED birds of prey are being exported from Ireland every year to boost the Middle East’s lucrative falcon trade.
The Journal Investigates can reveal how vulnerable raptors are being sold and transported to wealthy Gulf countries for use in competitive hunting and racing contests.
Figures obtained by The Journal Investigates show that between 2013 and 2023, 1,896 falcons were exported out of Ireland to other countries.
Of those, 94% were shipped to Saudi Arabia, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for “personal” or “commercial” purposes.
According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) database, over half were sold to buyers in the UAE alone.
While the trade mostly involves captive birds, experts say it puts Ireland’s wild falcon population at risk from poachers wanting to cash in on huge sums offered by wealthy Middle Eastern buyers.
The profitable bird business is also happening against a backdrop of raptor persecution across the island of Ireland.
Over the last decade, falconry has become one of the Middle East’s most popular sports.
According to the UK’s National Wildlife Crime Unit, a pure-bred falcon can reach sums of up to €300,000 in the Gulf, with buyers willing to pay much more for wild-born raptors.
Rare falcons are seen as the ultimate status symbol, with races and hunting contests offering multi-million euro prize pots.
The UAE even holds ‘beauty’ contests solely for peregrine falcons, again with huge jackpots on offer for winning falcons.
As the sport’s popularity has grown, so has international trade in endangered raptors.
Analysis of CITES data by The Journal Investigates shows that falcon trade between Ireland and the Middle East has grown significantly over the last decade.
In 2013, just 28 falcons were recorded as having been exported out of the country.
However, in 2022 a record high of 405 falcons were exported to other countries from Ireland – a 14-fold increase in trade in nine years.
Records show peregrine, saker and gyr falcons are the most popular species to be sold on the global market.
All three species – as well as their cross breeds – are listed in either Appendix I or II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
This is the highest protection given to any species, with strict regulations surrounding their trade in the 183 countries signed up to the convention.
Cross breeds – recorded as ‘hybrid’ falcons by CITES – account for the largest number of raptor exports over the last 10 years.
A total of 1,207 hybrid falcons were sold and shipped from Ireland to international buyers.
This is closely followed by gyr falcons, a transient visitor very rarely seen in the Irish countryside. Between 2013 and 2023, over 400 were imported into the Middle East from these shores.
CITES data also reveals how 149 critically endangered saker falcons were sold by Irish breeders to buyers in other parts of the world.
The Red List species is currently recorded as being in “rapid” global decline by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Peregrine falcons, a breed almost wiped out in Ireland due to poisoning and pesticide use, can also be found in the threatened species trade data. Almost 150 were sold from captivity to mostly Middle Eastern buyers.
One 2021 record, revealed that one peregrine was legally taken from the wild before being sold and exported to the UK.
Since 2017, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has issued 24 licences to allow the taking of raptor chicks from the wild.
Data obtained by The Journal Investigates under Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) regulations reveal that 21 of those licences were for the young of peregrine falcons.
According to the Birds of Conservation Concern Ireland 2020-2026 report, peregrines – the fastest moving animal on earth – currently hold ‘green’ status here
That means their breeding and numbers are currently not of concern on the island.
Although there are no up-to-date figures on exact numbers, a 2018 review found there were 400 peregrine breeding pairs recorded across the country.
However, the Irish Raptor Study Group report said populations are still recovering from devastating declines in the 1960s linked to pesticide use.
The raptor species is one of 11 birds of prey living in Ireland, alongside the buzzard, sparrow hawk and kestrel.
A wild take licence allows an individual to legally disturb the nest of a bird of prey and remove a newly hatched chick.
The NPWS states this is to allow wild birds to breed with captive bred birds to “prevent consanguinity” or genetic relatedness between individual birds.
Although 24 licences were granted, NPWS data shows that only 21 peregrine chicks were successfully taken in those seven years.
The practice, which is run in a lotto type style draw every year, has long been criticised by raptor activists.
“Peregrine falcons have two main risks, one, persecution, and secondly, with these licences,” said Ronan Hannigan, chairman of the Golden Eagle Trust.
“And that risk is people claiming they have a wild bird obtained via these licences, but obviously, they may have gone to the nest and taken them illegally.
“This may be happening when it comes to birds being traded to the Middle East or elsewhere.”
The Journal Investigates can also reveal how Ireland’s largest independent conservation organisation has formally urged the government to scrap the controversial practice.
BirdWatch Ireland, which has over 15,000 members, said the taking of peregrine chicks from the wild “makes no contribution to the conservation of birds” and may “negatively impact” local population of the species.
In a written submission to the NPWS last week, made as part of a public consultation on a review of wildlife laws, the group said the wild take of falcon chicks is “not something that the State should support or enable”.
In a statement to The Journal Investigates, a NPWS spokesperson said it issues licences for a “maximum” of five peregrine chicks to be taken from the wild each year.
“This is carried out in a manner to ensure that it will not have a detrimental effect on the conservation status of the bird,” the spokesperson said.
The NPWS said these licences also contain the condition that for the lifetime of any chick taken,” they may not moved, traded or gifted to any other person or premises other than that of the successful applicant” unless otherwise agreed with NPWS.
The spokesperson added: “Any chick taken from the wild under licence must have a veterinary surgeon microchip the peregrine within 30 days.”
A 2020 review commissioned by the NPWS revealed the extent of raptor persecution in Ireland.
Over 300 birds of prey were found to have been killed by humans or suffered some form of unexplained, or unnatural, death.
Research by the Recording and Addressing Persecution and Threats to Our Raptors (RAPTOR) protocol revealed that of those, 214 died as a result of poisoning.
The report, the latest government research available, revealed that the deaths were recorded in every county across the country.
That is of no surprise to Hannigan, who has dedicated most of his life to the preservation, and reintroduction, of birds of prey in Ireland.
Between 2001 and 2007, the solicitor and conservationist was part of a group which successfully brought the golden eagle, white tailed eagle and the red kite, back into Ireland.
Despite public consultation prior to the birds being reintroduced, all three species were subjected to persecution.
“Unfortunately, some were poisoned and we lost about 25% of the birds,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s out of ignorance, or maybe or if it’s out of badness. But someone feels they want to harm the birds.”
Hannigan said not all deaths were targeted and said some were “clearly accidental”.
“It can’t be accidental when you shoot the bird, but when you put out poison for foxes or something else, it is completely indiscriminate.
“And what happens is that indiscriminate poison then obviously affects other species, including protected species like kites, buzzards, eagles, pine martens, etc,
“These protected animals also eat the poison and when they eat the poison, unfortunately, they die.”
Hannigan says Ireland’s biggest problem when it comes to tackling raptor persecution is not the laws, but the enforcement.
Last week, The Journal Investigates highlighted how the State’s wildlife enforcement agency scrapped plans for a dedicated crime unit.
The NPWS said its decision to instead set-up a ‘Directorate of Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection’ is an “upgrade” in the level of enforcement responsibility.
Reporter: Patricia Devlin • Editor: Maria Delaney • Video Production: Nicky Ryan • Social Media: Sadbh Cox • Main Image Design: Lorcan O’Reilly
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Micheal Martin & his Fianna Fail party, Leo Varadkar & Simon Harris & their Fine Gael party & Eamon Ryan & his Green party along with all Opposition parties in the Dail have utterly failed our young people & stabbed them in the back. I know as I have them at home, they work hard, paid their way through college, got jobs & paid their taxes, contributed to their communities but are left living at home due to exorbitant rents & know that they will never own their own home. They pay astronomical prices for their insurance, energy, broadband, groceries, you name it. All the above have destroyed a generation, who will never forgive them. There is massive anger then as they watch a Govt bend over backwards providing everything for those arriving daily. Ireland is on the brink of civil breakdown.
@SV3tN8M4: but they are living at home. Pool money for food, energy, groceries. College is less than 3-4k per year if living at home. Once working, they pay $750/ month for all bills because they don’t pay rent. They can save lots per month as a result. Living at home as an adult is a gift! It may not be ideal but a gift nonetheless!
@Susan Cody: it’s a fair point you make but even then it can be difficult to save. For instance if you have student loans or a car loan for a vehicle you need to travel to work. Also not having the security of your own home leads to delaying crucial life milestones such as having a family which leads to a further dominoe effect.
@SV3tN8M4: it’s a global game of musical chairs basically. For instance our nurses and doctors leave to another country for better pay and conditions and then we import a nurse or doctor from the Phillipines for instance who is also looking for better pay and conditions. Apply this to all jobs etc etc
@SV3tN8M4: If they have a decent job and are living at home they should be saving huge money each month. Those astronomical prices you mention should be minimal unless you are charging them heavily. Many don’t have the option of living at home
@SV3tN8M4: perfectly said sir
@Susan Cody: Yes and many of our new visitors don’t have to pay rent, food or any other bills and if they have college age children have no college fees. Why should our own children be unable to stay and live in their own Country go to work have a place of their own to live in and maybe have a family these would be our future citizens and workers of Ireland and everyone will need care and maybe these people could be our carers eventually.
@Susan Cody: I wouldn’t regard it as a gift to have to share someone else’s house when you’d prefer to have your own space. Especially if you can’t afford to move out. While it’s nice to have company and someone offering you $750 towards shared bills, it is very far from ideal. People want to have their own space and their own ways and will emigrate to achieve this. No blame to them. This is a welcome article because it looks at whether this generation really has any affordable choices in Ireland. People are increasingly voting with their feet to live in an affordable country where they can make their own way and have a realistic prospect of thriving without supports.
@SV3tN8M4: You comments consistently end with a sinister reference to civil or societal breakdown or unrest. You are full of horse manure
@Susan Cody: I’m lost with your comments how much do they get paid an hour and how many hours can they work a week and be successful in there course,really save money
It’s real simple when you finish college you tend to leave home and start your life. Maybe move in with a few friends. Maybe a couple might move in together. Rents are off the charts expensive. It’s gone out of control. We have the most expensive electricity in europe as well. Living with your parents isnt an option, so why not move abroad. The sad bit is 50% of those that leave will never come home. They will settle abroad.
@Washpenrebel: I have a good few nieces and nephews abroad…its all good until they start families, and then they move back home… They want to raise their kids here and need support from other family members…
@Washpenrebel: It’s better that way. The closeness of everyone will only increase, it’s unavoidable (failing a massive war or natural disaster that sets us back). It’s going to be useful to have Irish people all over the world, we sort of already do. Ireland is too ‘backwater’ anyway, no real economy for aspirations. More for retirement.
Looking at this sorry excuse of a government, I’m reminded of George B Shaw’s observation ‘The great tragedy of Ireland is that the intelligent are full of self-doubt, and the fools are cock-sure of themselves ‘ .
@Brian Hunt: would you ever consider quitting the gaslighting business ?
@Brian Hunt: There are quite a few that are educated beyond their abilities.
Most call themselves Greens.
We have one such notable that comments here.
@Daniel Dunne: You’re an example of what he was saying!
This country has simply become unaffordable to live in.
Constant meddling in every aspect of daily life by government. Over regulation of everything.
Cost of everything out of control
The Tax Gine and Penalties Green Party have driven costs beyond the reach of almost everyone.
Carbon Tax has raised the cos of everything
Plastic bottles tax
Labour costs
Sugar tax
Plastic bag tax
Businesses are swamped with costs thus raising the costs of everything by passing on costs inflation by government
Sick pay
Holiday pay extra bank holiday
Four day week
Working from home
Pensions
Domestic abuse pay on way
Along with
Rates
Employer PRSI
Vat
Corporation tax
Rent
Crippling insurance costs
Crippling energy costs
Crippling produce costs
This has all been passed on to our young people.
It’s too expensive to run a car. With no alternative offered outside of Dublin
Green Party policy is cycling
It’s too expensive to buy a house
It’s too expensive to rent
It’s too expensive to renovate or extend a property
Our young people see no future here in this tax crippled economy.
Just yesterday a young friend of my Son headed to Australia. Never to come back. On discussion with him. A professional guy and well paid. His synopsis is simple. No future here it’s too expensive.
My son another professional person, with his own house, considering moving at present. Well paid but fleeced in tax and further fleeced by secondary taxes vat and other government expenses.
Country has dropped 5 places in world rankings of being a country to do business in. From 9 to 14th. The rot has started. We have finally priced ourselves out. .
@Max Cooper: Oh, go away!
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: People are going away, that’s the point.
I am not in the age bracket and left 6 years ago, long before the recent arrivals. Best thing I have ever done. The mismanagement of Ireland and the bottomless pit of taxation used to pay for it is astounding. Don’t blame the asylum seekers. Ireland was a mess long before that!
Of course they are, they are trying to water the rest of us down too
@Brian Hackett: clown.
@Ian: did you spell that all by yourself??
The majority of issues facing young people are being caused by the ever increasing cost of rent and the cost of living in general.
For a young person that didn’t go to university and instead when straight into a trade or other job, their level of income means living outside the family home is beyond their means.
For those that went to university and left with a degree, they had lived away from home, but their level of income has also forced them to return to their family homes.
The lack of action by successive governments that only pay lip service to the housing crisis, while neglecting to build sufficient social housing is the causation factor behind all of this, yet they continue to act as if they are reacting to some unknown issue that occurred organically rather than by design.
@Dvsespaña: A lot of university degrees aren’t worth the paper they’re written on in the real world.
In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with an apprenticeship, provided the potential sponsor of the apprenticeship isn’t a langer.
Tradesmen and houses are so scarce now, the money is only going to go one way.
I know self-employed tradesmen adding thousands onto quotes just to NOT get the job.
A few weeks later, phone call ‘when can you start?’
@Dvsespaña: The cost of living has actually gone crazy here in this country. I earn about 15k more now than I did 16 years ago, but I seem to have less and less disposable income than I ever had, albeit with the addition of a child. One fine example I noticed just yesterday: a small luxury of a can of Coke was €1.70, before the deposit tax, in super value. 2 years ago, that was €0.90 cents to a euro. 70% increase in two years!! In 2015, a skoda octavia RS was 32K; now its 52K+, a 62.5% increase in 9 years. that’s an increase of 7% year on year yet average wages went up by just over half that, at 4.6%. It is similar for other car brands. Energy costs went up 21% in 12 months. Slowly coming back down. but not by much. Fuel is almost 50% more expensive now than it was 3 years ago. 2021 barrels of oil cost $84.56, at pump 1.42 per liter of diesel. Today, a barrel of oil is currently $82.76 and at pump 1.80 per litre of diesel. 26% increase in 3 years. Groceries increased in 2023 by 16.3%. Average wages aren’t matching these increases, not to mention the cost of rent/house prices. Health services are strained; young nurses are leaving and not being replaced; and older staff are burned out, leaving and not being replaced. That’s going to lead to a very poor health system in the near future. No amount of billions spent in Dublin hospitals will fix that, as nurses, regular staff, and even doctors can’t afford to live there, and the lack of resources in the rest of the country makes it a less desirable profession in Ireland. They have the offer of better wages, working conditions, and lifestyles in other countries such as Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.
Previous generational emigration drains from Ireland were largely driven out of economic hardship and poor opportunities at home. The difference this time around is that there is plenty of employment opportunities at home, but the quality of life and wellbeing standards are lower than we’ve become accustomed to and sliding. The main reason that there isn’t a total exodus of our young is that most of the western world is experiencing similar pressures arising from severe mismanagement.
@Caoimhín Mac Giolla Chaoin: Severe Mismanagement = Inappropriate distribution of wealth (Greed). We’re good at that here
@If you’re: Using the arrival of refugees as a reason to stuff the pockets of landlords is, indeed, greed, and the people engaged in this societal misadventure actually believe it.
The tendency to see ‘greed is good’ while everything else is social politics is untenable, but the journalists are inclined to see poor political policies rather than a circle of economic influence that excludes younger people or ignores them.
Journalists should be influencing how to reward people for productive and creative activity instead of just speculative acquirement of wealth for its own sake. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and these publications should take a long look in the mirror.
41% of people aged between 18 and 34 are planning, considering, or in the process of leaving this country. This is shocking and reminds me of the brain drain after the Celtic tiger crash, FG/FF again have failed them and left them with no realistic chance of a decent standard of life even when they have decent jobs. I feel sorry for the people considering this and their families.
Survey understates this trend because it excludes those who have already gone.
@Martin Purdy (Martin): Agree. And does not seem to include any count of these.
Of course they are. The fact that the young generation plan to leave or not is irrelevant. Meanwhile AIB and the like renew contracts with Indian companies with no intention to open jobs with decent pay to our young one. They even claim the Irish one are being unreasonable to justify on the salary they offer and when there is a rare opportunity. Same with the hospital and IT technologies jobs.
Houses health cost of living violence Dodgy ministers jobs for the boys/girls.
Of course they are and they’re trying to water the rest of us down too
Not enough room on this island to accommodate the amount of people that want to be here.
@Mark Gannon: pure bullshyte.
Young(er) people will always emigrate from this little island on the edge of Europe. It’s a huge, exciting world out there and they’ll all leave for various reasons. Travel, living and working aboard is far easier than it ever was. Some will feel forced, some will find the hills forty shades greener elsewhere, some will want the excitement, experience and all that the world has to offer. A great many will also return. This country is too small for growing humans.
As the father of a recent emigrant to Australia, I can answer that question with a Yes.
Highly qualified, highly skilled and in a very well paying occupation with great prospects. But even with all of that could not have anywhere near a decent lifestyle after forking out for huge rent. No possibility of ever owning a home, no possibility of ever being provided with affordable accommodation. Working very hard, paying huge tax and seeing no return on any of that.
Struggling with huge rent, struggling with very poor transport options, struggling to save anything, struggling with the ever present threat to personal safety and violence on our lawless streets, struggling to get any kind of service such as GP care or dental care. Why would they stay?
Very sensibly knows that far away fields are not always greener but also sensibly knows it could not be worse than here. Reluctantly emigrating and sad to do so, leaving a lot of sadness behind too. I now understand the term “emigration bereavement”, unfortunately.
Looking at what they needed in terms of documentation and process to just get into Australia was also hugely enlightening. It was a long and difficult and expensive and extensive process. Our own government ought to look at it as they would learn a lot about managing migration.
The polling is fundamentally flawed. They do not consider themselves as emigrants. They live in a broader universe than those asking the question.They view the government as an incompetent local county council run by gombeen politicians. They literally do not expect any better.They know failure to govern is the obvious outcome of cronyism, corruption and a landlord mindset to society.
@paul walsh: Bahahahaha go on back to bed.
Thats what this govt wants ! Irish people out and foreigners in !!
35 years ago I left. It is, thankfully, common for Irish people. Most end up going home. If we didn’t travel we would end up like the US, where a huge proportion of their citizens are completely ignorant of the world. We need to start embracing emigration as a positive. Stay at home and Decay at home.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: No young person should feel forced to immigrate from Ireland for a decent standard of life when they have decent paying jobs “stay at home and decay at home” that really says it all, nothing has changed in past 35 years, the goverment continues to fail our youth and the brain drain continues.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill:
You just said “people are completely ignorant of the world because they don’t travel”.
Is that not ignorant?
And traveling and emigrating are two very different things.
@mariona l: You are quoting me? Inaccurately! But, accepted! I can travel to Galway and that isn’t emigration.
21% of 55 to 64 year olds want to emmigrate. This surprised me.
Interesting read. There is a normal or average number of people who will travel, emigrate every year. This isnt new and it is not unique to ireland. What is concerning thou is the trend of professionals leaving and not returning coinciding with the shortages here. Change is needed badly in the likes of the HSE to stop this.
There’s no future for young people in Ireland, unless you have wealthy parents who can help you buy a house. Particularly not for nurses and teachers who can get much better pay and conditions abroad.
Young people are being pushed, or shall we say being forced to emigrate. While at the same time the FFFGG endorse illegal migration into the country at an exceptional cost. Legal migration, yes. Illegal.migration, no.
Another silly Journal survey where they try to be alarmist by making small numbers newsworthy. 3% planning to emigrate. 8% in the 18-34 category – students and graduates wanting to explore the world. There is nothing unusual here, either in the survey results, or in TheJournal wanting to poke a stick in the cage of those who live here only to rant about the Govt.
Every year thousands of Irish people move to Australia to experience a different culture, get some sunshine, do a bit of travelling and go on the p1ss while working in whatever job they can find. The VAST majority come back 12 months later.
The way that youth emigration is described in the media as some sort of national tragedy, you’d swear it was still the 1950s and emigrating meant a one way boat ticket, never to return.
As is the case in the UK, cities will be abandoned first as the Islamists arrive.
They are sadly deluded if they think the cost of living is cheaper in other western countries
This is low compared to the 1960′s & 1980′s, in the 80′s (I know the dim and distant past) it was the norm for more young people to have to leave than to stay here. So I’m going to go with the glass half full that less people are thinking of leaving now. I’m not in any way saying things are great here but less people are leaving so something must have changed.
The reality of starting a new life in another country from nothing ,has not being realised by these young Irish people. They will still be paying high rents ,high property prices, high living costs in western countries such as Canada, Australia new Zealand USA ect, unless they move to Eastern Europe or Russia, like the Canadian farmer on YouTube.
Only some adventure seekers.The question is what percentage want to emigrate here.
Just go and stop the hysterical drama
have your say