Mongolia’s Environment and Tourism Ministry is planning to export about 260 live falcons this year. By law, a falcon catcher must contract with and be supervised by a local government. Most of the birds are expected to be sent to Persian Gulf countries. The export of falcons from Mongolia is controversial because some conservation groups consider the birds to be endangered. Last year Mongolia exported 240 falcons to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait. The cost of each falcon last year was estimated at USD 12,000.