<strong>Falcon queen of Arabia:</strong> The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UAE's capital. It's a world-leading center of falconry medicine headed by German veterinarian Margit Gabriele Müller.
Falcon queen of Arabia: The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UAE's capital. It's a world-leading center of falconry medicine headed by German veterinarian Margit Gabriele Müller.
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<strong>Falcon triage:</strong> The center runs much like a human hospital. On arrival, the birds are weighed and assessed for symptoms or injuries.
Falcon triage: The center runs much like a human hospital. On arrival, the birds are weighed and assessed for symptoms or injuries.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Waiting area: </strong>Non-serious cases are placed on perches to await treatment or check-ups.
Waiting area: Non-serious cases are placed on perches to await treatment or check-ups.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Operating theater: </strong>More serious cases will be rushed into theater for delicate surgery that can last for several hours. Here, Dr. Müller operates on a bird.
Operating theater: More serious cases will be rushed into theater for delicate surgery that can last for several hours. Here, Dr. Müller operates on a bird.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Under anesthetic: </strong>Even for simple procedures, the falcons are put under sedation to spare them from distress and to allow for the work to be carried out properly.
Under anesthetic: Even for simple procedures, the falcons are put under sedation to spare them from distress and to allow for the work to be carried out properly.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Special feeling: </strong>Müller describes working with falcons as a calling rather than a profession. "Falcons require a special feeling to understand what they need, what they require," she says. "You need to sense it, and only then will you be good in this field. It's not a job, it's a gift."
Special feeling: Müller describes working with falcons as a calling rather than a profession. "Falcons require a special feeling to understand what they need, what they require," she says. "You need to sense it, and only then will you be good in this field. It's not a job, it's a gift."
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
<strong>Increasing numbers: </strong>The hospital treats 11,500 birds each year. Müller says the number of falcons it handles increases by 15-20% annually.
Increasing numbers: The hospital treats 11,500 birds each year. Müller says the number of falcons it handles increases by 15-20% annually.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Broken wings:</strong> One common procedure is repairing damaged feathers. The hospital keeps a drawer full of spares of different sizes and colors, which can be splinted onto damaged plumage.
Broken wings: One common procedure is repairing damaged feathers. The hospital keeps a drawer full of spares of different sizes and colors, which can be splinted onto damaged plumage.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
<strong>Trimming: </strong>In captivity, birds' beaks and claws need to be regularly trimmed. In the wild they wear down naturally.
Trimming: In captivity, birds' beaks and claws need to be regularly trimmed. In the wild they wear down naturally.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Dehydrated bird: </strong>Here a dehydrated falcon receives injections of saline and glucose. The hospital employs 107 staff and has a fully equipped laboratory.
Dehydrated bird: Here a dehydrated falcon receives injections of saline and glucose. The hospital employs 107 staff and has a fully equipped laboratory.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Avian attraction: </strong>Here, Müller pulls back a falcon's feathers to reveal its ear. "I've worked with falcons 20 years now," Müller says. "The longer I work with them, the more I'm attracted to them."
Avian attraction: Here, Müller pulls back a falcon's feathers to reveal its ear. "I've worked with falcons 20 years now," Müller says. "The longer I work with them, the more I'm attracted to them."
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Leather hoods: </strong>While at the hospital, the birds wear specially fitted hoods to keep them calm, particularly when they're around other falcons.
Leather hoods: While at the hospital, the birds wear specially fitted hoods to keep them calm, particularly when they're around other falcons.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Anxious falconers: </strong>The birds' owners sometimes wait hours in reception while surgery is carried out. "When the falconer comes to visit a sick bird here, the falcon will recognize the owner and try to make some sounds and move a little bit," says Müller. "It's fantastic to see how strong the bond is between the falcon and a falconer."
Anxious falconers: The birds' owners sometimes wait hours in reception while surgery is carried out. "When the falconer comes to visit a sick bird here, the falcon will recognize the owner and try to make some sounds and move a little bit," says Müller. "It's fantastic to see how strong the bond is between the falcon and a falconer."
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
<strong>Falcon passport:</strong> The birds, some of which are classified as endangered, are issued with their own passports. They've been known to get their own seat in business class when flying internationally.
Falcon passport: The birds, some of which are classified as endangered, are issued with their own passports. They've been known to get their own seat in business class when flying internationally.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Hospital tour: </strong>The hospital throws open its doors to twice-daily tours (except Fridays). The award-winning tours offer a fascinating glimpse into the hospital's working life and offer close-up experiences with beautiful birds.
Hospital tour: The hospital throws open its doors to twice-daily tours (except Fridays). The award-winning tours offer a fascinating glimpse into the hospital's working life and offer close-up experiences with beautiful birds.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Feeding time: </strong>Visitors get to see falcons being treated, watch surgery and, if they're lucky, feed the birds.
Feeding time: Visitors get to see falcons being treated, watch surgery and, if they're lucky, feed the birds.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Moulting room: </strong>The hospital has two air-conditioned aviaries where recovering birds can fly freely. They're used as moulting rooms -- falcons shed all their feathers and grow new ones in summer.
Moulting room: The hospital has two air-conditioned aviaries where recovering birds can fly freely. They're used as moulting rooms -- falcons shed all their feathers and grow new ones in summer.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
<strong>Falconers and their birds: </strong>Falcons are an important part of life in the UAE. Falconry traditions stretch back to the days when Bedouin families used them to hunt meat in the desert. In 2012, falconry was recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Falconers and their birds: Falcons are an important part of life in the UAE. Falconry traditions stretch back to the days when Bedouin families used them to hunt meat in the desert. In 2012, falconry was recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images