Record, Slovenian White Eagles Sold For IDR 653 Million At International Auctions

JAKARTA - An eagle cub sold for 151,000 Saudi riyals (Rp653,106,194) at the annual International Eagle Breeder Auction at Malham, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, making it the most expensive sale so far.

Offers for the super-white Mathouth hybrid gyrfalcon eagle, from Slovenian breeders' farm, GP, starting at the price of 50,000 Saudi riyals.

The bird is under one year old, about 40 centimeters tall while weighing slightly above 1 kilogram.

The buyer's identity has not been disclosed and is common practice for the bird to be named after being sold.

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

Para pemula juga bersaing untuk mendapatkan sebuah alap gyrfalcon shaheen, dari pembangkit Inggris YLS, dengan anakan berwarna tua seberat 1,1 kg, yang akhirnya terjual seharga 51,000 riyal Saudi.

The gyrfalcon, or gyr, is the largest species in the world and colors range from clean white to brown. These birds have a large body, wide wing, and are long-tailed, so they are highly sought after by breeders and fans.

Alalap gyrfalcon Mathouth, alap-lap gyrfalcon shaheen, dan alap-alap gyrfalcon murni dilelang pada Rabu malam.

Last year, a subsidiary named Ultra White sold for 400,000 Saudi riyals, a record for the event. Pacific Northwest Falcons, a farmer from America, also sells another younglap bird named Super White for 86,000 Saudi riyals.

The auction closed with sales of 10 million Saudi riyals after 866 rivals were purchased. Last year's domestic auction managed to raise nearly 6 million Saudi riyals.

With sales history exceeding 18 million Saudi riyals over the past three years, the auction introduces new international breeding farms and encourages collaboration between manufacturers and investors.

Walid Al-Taweel, a Saudi Falcons Club spokesman, told Arab News the auction had attracted the interest of some of the world's best racer breeders and hunters.

"This auction utilizes modern technology in sales and medical examinations. This auction also features live broadcasts, which allow viewers to watch live auctions from around the world," he explained.

This annual auction also provides a platform for racer hunters to learn the latest coaching and hybridization techniques and share knowledge with fellow experts from around the world.

This activity also plays an important role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia's cultural, economic and historical heritage in line with Vision 2030.

New Zealand's Ambassador Charles Kingston described the activity as "deterrent and interesting."

"Beautiful auctions are exhibited and an outstanding example of the wealth of the Kingdom's heritage and culture," he said.

It is known, as loyal friends of Bedouin travelers, hunting with eagles is also an inseparable part of Arab culture for thousands of years.