A chukar partridge in the city of Zakho. Photo: Rudaw
ZAKHO, Kurdistan Region - Nearly 100 male chukar partridges were brought to a primitive arena in the Kurdistan Region's northern border city of Zakho for a bird fight on Friday, a brutal practice that often takes place across the Kurdish region.
Male onlookers gathered in a place in Zakho to create a ring made of round wooden cages, each housing two birds, a male, and a female chukar. The females were not brought to fight, but to make their male partners feel emboldened while fighting.
"I have been doing this business since 1979. The most expensive chukar I have ever sold was a wild chukar that I sold for $4,500. I had bought it for $300. It became much smarter when it was with me," Ismat Abdal, a chukar buyer and seller told Rudaw
Puffing their chests, two male chukar partridges at a time would enter the circle. As soon as they were released from the wooden cages, they would beat each other with their wings immediately, and the spectators appear to enjoy the fight.
"Not all the chukars are ready to fight or are able to help in hunting. A chukar becomes desirable among people when it is able to help you hunt five to six other young chukars a year," Hazni Rasheed, a chukar partridge owner said.
According to the Duhok forest police, hunting chukar partridges is prohibited, but the practice is yet to be purged.
Male onlookers gathered in a place in Zakho to create a ring made of round wooden cages, each housing two birds, a male, and a female chukar. The females were not brought to fight, but to make their male partners feel emboldened while fighting.
"I have been doing this business since 1979. The most expensive chukar I have ever sold was a wild chukar that I sold for $4,500. I had bought it for $300. It became much smarter when it was with me," Ismat Abdal, a chukar buyer and seller told Rudaw
Puffing their chests, two male chukar partridges at a time would enter the circle. As soon as they were released from the wooden cages, they would beat each other with their wings immediately, and the spectators appear to enjoy the fight.
"Not all the chukars are ready to fight or are able to help in hunting. A chukar becomes desirable among people when it is able to help you hunt five to six other young chukars a year," Hazni Rasheed, a chukar partridge owner said.
According to the Duhok forest police, hunting chukar partridges is prohibited, but the practice is yet to be purged.
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