Eagle-eyed Egyptians spot hawks among the ducks

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) -- Cairo airport officials on Friday foiled an attempt to smuggle 22 falcons worth about 2.2 million pounds ($560,000) to the United Arab Emirates by hiding them in crates of ducks.

A veterinary doctor inspecting 27 wooden crates due to be sent on an EgyptAir flight to Dubai found the falcons concealed among 420 ducks, officials said .

The owner of the firm sending the shipment told officials he had bought the falcons from Bedouin Arabs in the Sharqiya region of northern Egypt and had planned to sell them to Gulf princes.

Hunting with falcons is a traditional pastime in the Gulf, where the birds can fetch high prices from wealthy sportsmen. Egypt prohibits the export of falcons, which are a protected species.

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