Working Wonders: Dr Margit Muller, chief veterinarian at Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital – in pictures
Dr Margit Muller, the 'falcon whisperer', has spent 22 years working at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital nursing more than 11,500 birds a year back to good health. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
When she arrived from Germany in 2001, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital was just a small team of 20
Now, she is the executive director and chief vet, and leads 140 staff members caring for the birds
She also overseas the hospital's laboratory, pet care centre and animal shelter
The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has a huge laboratory for medical research
Dr Muller was awarded the Abu Dhabi Award in 2008 by President Sheikh Mohamed for discovering two new diseases in falcons and finding a cure for them
Dr Muller said her biggest career challenge was when she first arrived at the falcon hospital 22 years ago, when falconers were not used to female, western vets
Dr Muller has falcons at her home, as well as seven dogs, eight parrots, three budgies, nine horses and three turtles
One of Dr Muller's most memorable days at work was when she treated a Peregrine falcon that was hit by a car
The Peregrine falcon survived a two-and-a-half-hour operation and another seven surgeries over three months
Dr Muller said she was proud to save the Peregrine falcon, which later went on to live for many years
As well as being a vet, Dr Muller is a certified life and mental health coach
She says she loves helping humans as much as falcons
Dr Muller believes she has a kind of intuition that makes her want to help humans and animals
