Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The popular Mara’ee Bahrain International Animal Production Show returned for the first time in four years as more than 160,000 animal lovers flocked to the four-day festival at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
180 exhibitors from more than 35 countries showcased a plethora of animals, with activities including a farm animal exhibition, horse and bird shows, dog competitions and a farmers’ market.
Children and adults alike couldn’t get enough of the creatures on display, especially in the falconry section as as they rushed to stroke the glorious birds and have their picture taken with them.
Cats were also a big hit with visitors. Children were cooing over the Himalayan and Persian kittens in the giant cat tent.
There were also live expos, a trade exhibition, an outdoor theatre, an art gallery, children’s stations with petting areas, and an educational zone that showcased the latest technological advancements in animal production.
Other areas that attracted many visitors were the farmers’ market, which featured a variety of exotic animals such as bats, iguanas, squirrels and pythons.
One stall owner, Ali Al Qatari, 30, has been raising the reptiles since he was 10. The snake charmer from Budaiya, said: “I only raise purebreds such as the albino python and Burmese python, nothing poisonous. I teach children and adults not to be scared of snakes by staging exhibitions or attending birthday parties and private parties.
“I take part in this exhibition every time it comes around and I always get tons of people coming to my booth to hold my snakes. In fact, if I’m not there, people will ring me to find out when I will be around. Some will even wait around for me to show up.”
Farzana Ramesh’s sons, Rahul, 13, and Rohit, nine, were charmed by the snakes. The 38-year-old mum from Khamis said: “My children love all kinds of animals. We don’t have any pets because we live in an apartment. This is why it’s great to come to places like this.”
Another family business, two stalls down from the snake man, was showcasing iguanas, squirrels and bats. Mohamed Jassim, 20, from Hamad Town, said: “We have fruit bats too from East Asia which are a top seller. You would be surprised with what people in Bahrain buy as pets.”
The bats were being sold at BD150, the iguanas at BD60 and squirrels snapped up for BD80 each. Mohamed also sold rabbits for BD7, chicks for 500fils and ducks at BD7.
Mohamed said: “I wish they could stage this exhibition every year or perhaps every six months. It’s great for business and gives families a chance to see different types of animals.”
While children picked up scores of chicks and fish, families were entertained by a band of musical hens that didn’t cluck, but instead plucked at guitar strings.
On the other side of the massive exhibition was a Bahraini market selling clothing, accessories and traditional t food. Nearby was a camel farm which one child was particularly enamoured with. While three-year-old Sarah Janahi stroked a camel, her father Hamad, 39, from Budaiya, beamed at his daughter’s bravery.
Fakhro said: “This event is great. The minute we heard about it, we rushed over.”
But not everyone has been so impressed, with a backlash towards the event on social media, as many posted their outrage at some of the living conditions of the animals at the event, particularly the birds.
Numerous images were circling sites like Facebook and Instagram of as many as 20 birds crammed on top of each other in small cages, with captions branding the conditions as ‘appalling’ and ‘disgusting’.
Organisers declined to comment when contacted by GulfWeekly.
