In the United Arab Emirates, the falcon on the emblem and coat of arms represents the strength and heritage of the state. Therefore it's surprising to learn that the UAE has a falcon hospital! First opening its doors on 3rd October 1999, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has had 110,000 patients and around 11,000 falcons are received for examinations and treatment yearly. It is also the world's BIGGEST falcon hospital. Each falcon is treated like family members by the hospital staff as patients as the facility is similar to one that would treat people. Upon being checked in, the bird patient is taken to a triage room where they are weighed and have their symptoms assessed by a medical team. Falcons whose conditions are critical are rushed to an operating theatre where a team is on 24 hour standby delicately performs surgery on the falcon that can last for hours.
Sick birds are then put into intensive care units or air conditioned wards in the hospital where they would recover. Patients there are known to perk up during their worried owners' daily visits. As for non-urgent cases, falcons are placed onto perches until it's their turn for treatment. The patients at Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital come from across the UAE and other Arabian Gulf countries.