Falconry is part of Qatar’s rich Bedouin heritage, but falcon racing is very much part of the country’s modern identity.
Falcon racing is a status of the wealthy, considered more prestigious than Bulgari jewels.
As more and more money is spent on technology to train falcons for competition, owners expect excellent medical treatment when accidents happen.
Sick falcons are taken to Doha’s Falcon Hospital next door, where staff can sharpen talons and reattach lost feathers from an extensive feather collection.
Falcons have to be in peak condition for a month of racing - held in January, a celebration of speed, agility and tradition.
Steve Scott travelled to Doha to spend time at one of the world’s most unusual medical centres, the Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital, to see why the falcon continues to be the most highly prized - and looked after - bird in Qatar.
On Assignment is ITV's current affairs series presented by Rageh Omaar where ITV News journalists contribute in-depth reports from around the world on the stories behind the headlines.
Catch up with the latest episodes on the ITV Hub: www.itv.com/hub/on-assignment...
• Subscribe to ITV News on KZfaq: bit.ly/2lOHmNj
• Get breaking news and more stories at www.itv.com/news
Follow ITV News on Facebook: / itvnews
Follow ITV News on Twitter: / itvnews
Follow ITV News on Instagram: / itvnews