Qatar's Modern Hospital for Falcons Only
2022-03-28
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1The Souq Waqif medical center sits in the historic center of Doha, the capital of Qatar.
2It appears to be a hospital with the latest equipment for medical care.
3Workers move about while beeping sounds and blinking lights come out of operating rooms.
4Specialists look at X-rays as doctors prepare for surgery.
5There is just one thing: The rooms are filled with falcons.
6In the small, wealthy country of Qatar, falcons are among the nation's most prized residents.
7Long respected across the Arabian Peninsula for their hunting abilities, falcons are now used to show a person's wealth or social standing.
8Although less common now than in ancient times, the art of falconry is still passed down from one generation to the next in Qatar and other Persian Gulf states.
9In recent years, groups that teach the sport have started up across the area.
10Falcons compete in an increasing number of races and beauty events.
11The finest falcons sell for at least a few thousand dollars and Qataris are willing to pay to keep them healthy.
12Dr. Ikdam Al Karkhi is Souq Waqif hospital director.
13He told The Associated Press, "The establishment of the hospital was to support the hobby and heritage of raising falcons."
14He added, "Keeping them alive and well is an essential duty."
15Public hospitals like Souq Waqif offer care to about 30,000 sick and wounded birds a year.
16The hospital is often full of owners and trainers bringing their birds in for check-ups, medical tests, feather replacements, and surgeries.
17The falcon's hunt may be a respected tradition, but it is also difficult and dangerous work.
18At times, the cornered animal fights back, injures the falcon, and damages its wings.
19Each of a falcon's feathers is important for its ability to fly, necessitating careful feather replacement after fights.
20Doctors pull from a collection of feathers to find one that perfectly matches the wounded bird.
21"If these damaged feathers remain, it can cause loss or reduction of the bird's fitness," Al Karkhi said.
22"They must be treated."
23Hamad Al Mehshadi runs events for falconry.
24He took his falcon for a regular medical checkup at the center, saying "If a person is neglecting their bird, it's a huge problem."
25I'm John Russell.
1The Souq Waqif medical center sits in the historic center of Doha, the capital of Qatar. 2It appears to be a hospital with the latest equipment for medical care. Workers move about while beeping sounds and blinking lights come out of operating rooms. Specialists look at X-rays as doctors prepare for surgery. 3There is just one thing: The rooms are filled with falcons. 4In the small, wealthy country of Qatar, falcons are among the nation's most prized residents. Long respected across the Arabian Peninsula for their hunting abilities, falcons are now used to show a person's wealth or social standing. 5Although less common now than in ancient times, the art of falconry is still passed down from one generation to the next in Qatar and other Persian Gulf states. In recent years, groups that teach the sport have started up across the area. 6Falcons compete in an increasing number of races and beauty events. The finest falcons sell for at least a few thousand dollars and Qataris are willing to pay to keep them healthy. 7Dr. Ikdam Al Karkhi is Souq Waqif hospital director. He told The Associated Press, "The establishment of the hospital was to support the hobby and heritage of raising falcons." He added, "Keeping them alive and well is an essential duty." 8Public hospitals like Souq Waqif offer care to about 30,000 sick and wounded birds a year. The hospital is often full of owners and trainers bringing their birds in for check-ups, medical tests, feather replacements, and surgeries. 9The falcon's hunt may be a respected tradition, but it is also difficult and dangerous work. At times, the cornered animal fights back, injures the falcon, and damages its wings. 10Each of a falcon's feathers is important for its ability to fly, necessitating careful feather replacement after fights. Doctors pull from a collection of feathers to find one that perfectly matches the wounded bird. "If these damaged feathers remain, it can cause loss or reduction of the bird's fitness," Al Karkhi said. "They must be treated." 11Hamad Al Mehshadi runs events for falconry. He took his falcon for a regular medical checkup at the center, saying "If a person is neglecting their bird, it's a huge problem." 12I'm John Russell. 13Lujain Jo reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. 14_________________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16beep -- n. a short usually high-pitched sound (as from a horn or an electronic device) that serves as a signal or warning 17blink -- v. to go on and off repeatedly 18surgery -- n. medical treatment (as of disease, injury, or physical abnormality) that involves cutting into the body usually to expose internal parts 19resident -- n. someone who lives in a particular place 20falconry -- n. the sport of hunting with hawks 21hobby - n. an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working 22heritage - n. the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation - usually singular 23essential -- adj. extremely important and necessary 24regular -- adj. usual or normal 25match -- v. to be the same or suitable to one another 26neglect -- v. to fail to take care of or to give attention to (someone or something)