Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms until Friday

RIYADH: The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Oman is working with authorities to repatriate the body of poet Saud Al-Qahtani who fell to his death from a cliff at Jebel Samhan, near Salalah, according to an embassy post on X on Tuesday.

Al-Qahtani was reportedly hiking in the mountainous area on Monday when he slipped and fell. 

Rescue and ambulance teams from Oman’s Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority, and several citizens, were present at the site, the CDAA posted on X on Monday. 

Al-Qahtani sustained severe injuries that led to his death, the authority said. 

The CDAA has issued a warning for members of the public to exercise caution when exploring mountainous areas, and stressed the importance of adhering to safety regulations.

RIYADH: A falcon chick fetched SR151,000 ($40,000) at the annual International Falcon Breeders Auction in Malham here on Tuesday, becoming the most expensive sale so far at the gathering.

The bidding for the Mathlouth gyrfalcon hybrid super white, from the farm of the Slovenian breeder GP, started at SR50,000. The bird is under a year old, about 40 centimeters in height, and weighs just over 1 kg.

The identity of the buyer has not been revealed and it is usual practice for the bird to be named after it is sold.

The hybrid was not the only bird sold on Tuesday, the fourth night of the auction organized by the Saudi Falcons Club and held at its headquarters until Aug. 25.

Bidders also competed for a gyrfalcon shaheen falcon, from British breeder YLS, with the dark brown chick, weighing 1.1 kg, eventually selling for SR51,000.

The gyrfalcon, or gyr, is the largest species in the world and ranges in color from pure white to brown. The birds have large, broad-winged and long-tailed bodies and are highly sought-after by breeders and enthusiasts.

A Mathlouth gyrfalcon, a gyrfalcon shaheen and a gyrfalcon pure will go under the hammer on Wednesday night.

Last year, a peregrine falcon chick named Ultra White sold for SR400,000 in a record for the event. Its American breeder Pacific Northwest Falcons also sold another peregrine chick named Super White for SR86,000.

That auction concluded with SR10 million in sales after 866 falcons were bought. A domestic auction by the club last year raised nearly SR6 million.

With a history of exceeding SR18 million in sales over the past three years, the auction introduces new international breeding farms and fosters collaboration among producers and investors.

Walid Al-Taweel, spokesperson for the Saudi Falcons Club, told Arab News on Tuesday the auction has attracted some of the world’s top breeders and falconers.

“The auction utilizes modern technologies in sales and medical examinations. It also features live broadcasting, which allows real-time viewing of the auction from around the world,” he said.

The annual auction also provides a platform for falconers to learn about the latest breeding and hybridization techniques and share knowledge with fellow experts from around the world.

It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural, economic, and historical heritage in line with Vision 2030.

Speaking to Arab News on Monday, New Zealand Ambassador Charles Kingston described the visit as “fun and fascinating.”

“Beautiful falcons on display and a wonderful showcase of the Kingdom’s rich heritage and culture,” he said.

A common companion of Bedouin travelers, hunting with falcons was also an integral part of Arabian culture for thousands of years.