Mr Chatel, whose tenure in the UAE has come to an end, said the myna — a type of bird renowned for its mimicry skills — has become a mascot of the embassy and even learnt to say ‘bonjour!'
Alia, 18, an Afghan refugee, with her pet bird. She brought Juji with her on the evacuation flight to the UAE but was forced to leave the bird behind when she moved to France with her family. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Xavier Chatel, France's ambassador to the UAE, adopted the bird last year and was instrumental in bringing Alia to Abu Dhabi to meet her pet.
Alia with Mr Chatel at his residence in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Chatel and Alia with Juji.
Mr Chatel, whose tenure in the UAE has come to an end, said the myna — a type of bird renowned for its mimicry skills — has become a mascot of the embassy and even learnt to say ‘bonjour!'
Alia, 18, an Afghan refugee, with her pet bird. She brought Juji with her on the evacuation flight to the UAE but was forced to leave the bird behind when she moved to France with her family. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Xavier Chatel, France's ambassador to the UAE, adopted the bird last year and was instrumental in bringing Alia to Abu Dhabi to meet her pet.
Alia with Mr Chatel at his residence in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Chatel and Alia with Juji.
Mr Chatel, whose tenure in the UAE has come to an end, said the myna — a type of bird renowned for its mimicry skills — has become a mascot of the embassy and even learnt to say ‘bonjour!'
