Falconers flock to demonstrate skills, raise conservation issues

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt - In the heart of the golden desert, dozens of enthusiastic falconers and their raptors marked the sixth edition of World Falconry Day.

As the sun started to rise in Alexandria's Borg El Arab, north of Cairo, Hani Ibrahim carefully watched his falcon soaring through the skies and swooping down speedily to catch a pigeon the man had released.

"The relationship between my falcon and I is unique ... I spent a long time to train him and we are kind of close friends now," Ibrahim said after his bird landed on his gloved fist.