We will present a success story of conservation of Peregrine, Mauritius Kestrel and other species using falconry techniques. We would like to discuss what can be learnt from these cases for conservation in general or for other species conservation. One idea is the falconry techniques remodeled for conservation - how to manage birds in captivity, make them more productive in captivity, methods of release and management of wild populations, "birds for nests" project in Mongolia as a case study for conservation trough use and local community involvement in conservation. Second is how this experience can be used for other species management and conservation, what can be learnt from this. FALCONRY AND FALCONERS AS PIONEERS IN SUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AS A CONSERVATION TOOL Sustainable use of wild raptors has been at the core of the basic practice of falconry for millennia Falconry is the hunting of wild quarry in their natural habitat with trained raptors - by definition it requires sustainable, intact healthy ecosystems Falconry contributes to Biological Diversity Falconers have been pioneers in Sustainable Use Successful falconer-led Peregrine breeding and reintroduction projects in USA, Germany, Poland and other countries, have proved the falconer’s expertise and commitment to sustainable wild populations Falconers and their methods have been used to save many other bird species worldwide Since 1970 the Peregrine Fund, the biggest falconer led organization in the world, has hatched and raised 20 species of rare birds, pioneering propagation and release techniques to restore wild populations The German falconry club, the DFO, has even been afforded government recognition as an official conservation organisation Falconry techniques ensure birds released can hunt for themselves and survive to breed California Condor was extint, now being released. Aplomado Falcon – studied, released monitored. Species systematically released to restore wild populations include Bald Eagle, Bat Falcon, Harpy Eagle, Madagascar Fish Eagle, Mauritius Kestrel, Orange-breasted Falcon, etc. Peregrine Fund funded also studies on reasons of vulture decline in India and prooved the reason was diclofenac The Saker ranges across 80 range states, with varying population stabilityThe Saker is widely used in falconry, and is important for traditional falconers in Central Asia and in the Arabic world IAF is an active member of the Saker Task Force created at 11th CMS COP The Saker GAP recognizes sustainable use as one of the key elements in Saker conservation. In Mongolia the UAE funded “A thousand nest” project showed the numbers of breeding birds can be increased significantly The IAF funded first of three flagship projects - the Online Information Portal - this involves monitoring and measurement of the use of Sakers by falconers and is in cooperation with UNEP, BirdLife and IUCN. The research conducted in Mongolia showed that the mortality caused by electrocution might be a key factor in Saker decline. IAF Proposed a Resolution against electrocution adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
Falconry methods proved to be safe for birds and effective in their taming. They are widely used also for other birds and animals. Falconers started to breed Peregrines and these methods are also widely used for many other species. Falconers pioneered in reintroduction of Peregrines and those methods are widely used for many other species.
We are sure there is still a lot that conservationists can learn from falconry.