In Medieval times, the gyrfalcon was a prized species among kings and nobility. Today, this regal-looking bird is still a prized item — on the black market. Watch this clip to learn more about how IFAW teams are working to stop the illegal trade of gyrfalcons in places like Russia.
3 Responses to “IFAW works to stop illegal trade of gyrfalcons”
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The Secret Life of Animals is a celebration of our deep ties to the creatures around us. Its a show that seeks to unlock the wonder of the animals themselves, our mysterious bond with them, and our lives together: From breathtaking stories of survival in the wild to pragmatic tips on understanding our pets and keeping them healthy.
The mammal in charge is host Vicki Croke, who has been covering animal issues for more than 20 years on television, radio, and in print. Her entire career has been one big excuse to pat as many animals as possible.
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Falconry is a noble sport, and it is well and alive today. Falconers in the U.S. are subjected to rigorous testing, regulation by Fish and Wildlife authorities, and must undergo a 2 year apprenticeship under a licensed, and experienced falconer who acts as a source of information, and a guide. Any good falconer knows that there are excellent and good reasons for the regulations of birds of prey, and most falconers take pride in honoring these. We try to help conservation efforts, and education of birds of prey and raptors by helping to educate the public.
True we partake of an ancient sport, but alas our birds are kept in prime physical and mental condition to even be able to be used as falconry birds. All falconery birds are given good shelter per regulation by the state, and federal government, and choice meats, and foods by the falconer. We pride ourselves on having our birds in good feather condition.
I’ll speak for myself, and some of my collegues in falconry as saying that there are some bad apples out there, who would cast a dark light on our noble sport, science, and art, but these people are to be condemned by any falconer who has the birds first in their heart.
I believe with the continuation of captive breeding making rare and exotic species like the Gyr falcon more readily available, the costs will come down, and criminals will be less inclinded to ’steal’ birds from the wild, and from Nature.
Both myself and my wife are falconers, and work towards the betterment and conservation of wild raptor populations. We partake of activities that include erecting nesting platforms for Osprey, our seasonal ‘fish eagles’, as well as Barn owl nest boxes which encourage this historic vistor, and resident to Martha’s Vineyard where we reside. Therefore anyone taking birds for money out of the wild is not to be confused with honest falconers, and falconry. Most of us are very ethical when it comes to the birds.
Hi Justin and Kat:
Thanks for this heartfelt overview of falconry ethics.
My literary agent became a falconer late in life (after having reared an osprey chick when he was a teenager, he always wanted to get back to raptor rehab and he did finally when he retired). I often visited him in the Catskills and spent lots of time with his beautiful birds.
Fairly recently, I also wrote a long profile for the Washington Post Magazine about the pioneering Craighead brothers who famously wrote about falconry for the July 1937 edition of National Geographic Magazine. John was in his early 90s when I interviewed him in Montana.
I’m curious about whether you live in New England and could recommend a falconer or two who might like to come on the show.
Thanks,
Vicki Croke
Both of us live on Martha’s Vineyard and have so for 8 years. We watch the show constantly. We are both falconers ourselves, and currently have a red tailed hawk. I (Justin) am coming to the end of my falconry apprenticeship, whereas Kat, is starting the beginning of her second year as an apprentice in the mandatory two year apprenticeship.
We have several falconer friends, and have loved working with the birds very much so for even the short amount of time that we have. We’d love to come on the show, and talk a little bit about falconry, and show off “Faust”. You can certainly come to the Vineyard too, where we also have Gus Ben David’s World of Reptiles and Birds, an island staple. Gus runs a private park for exotic, and native waterfowl, raptors, and reptiles in Edgartown.