Caring for conservation

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With a job description that includes breeding animals, mending fences and researching desert eco-systems, it's no surprise that Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve conservation manager Gregory Simkins gets to work early.

Simkins, who manages the 225km² reserve surrounding Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai, said his day normally starts at 6am.

The first thing I am involved in is normally the falconry in the morning, and depending on whether there are any new field guides or not, I do the training for the field guides or I get the birds flying for the day," he said.

What you are doing is releasing [the falcon] from the glove, and they are free to fly wherever they like, but you offer them a lure with a little bit of meat tied onto it, which they then chase after. You put the lure into their line of flight as they are coming towards you, and then move it out of the way.

While guides were also taught how to handle and care for the falcons, learning how to lure the birds was one of the most important skills they needed to learn, Simkins added.

It takes practice," he explained.

Especially if the bird has the necessary skill - if the bird is experienced and there is an inexperienced guide, the bird takes them apart every time and gets the lure from him very quickly.

After running through the training and flying the birds, Simkins meets with his team each day at 7am.

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