Ben C
06-07-2008, 02:39 PM
WRTC is an international non profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of wild raptors taken for falconry purposes. We want to thank the California Department of Fish and Game for this opportunity to comment on the delisting of the peregrine falcon in California. We are in full support of California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) proposal to remove the American peregrine falcon from the California endangered species list.
The Tundra peregrine was never endangered but was placed on the endangered species list because of the look alike clause of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 1994 the US Government removed the Tundra peregrine from the ESA, 14 years ago. The Tundra peregrine is the most highly migratory peregrine, flying from the Tundra to South America each fall. This is the falcon that has been traditionally taken in the fall, on passage, (first year of life), by falconers and utilized for falconry. The mortality of first year birds is about 70% and they are more likely to survive in a falconer’s hand than in the wild. Theses birds were traditionally released in the spring to return to their breeding grounds and were more likely to survive.
In 1999, almost 10 years ago, the American peregrine was removed from the ESA by the US Government. Their numbers have grown exponentially and have far surpassed the numbers documented pre DDT. Falconers have traditionally utilized these birds as well in the same way as the Tundra peregrine. The government has done studies to document the numbers of Peregrine falcons in North America and their numbers surpass many of the other non endangered raptors utilized for falconry in this country. Last year, in Curry Hammocks in the Keys of Florida, they counted 2100 peregrines over a month period and estimated that they were counting 10-16% of the migratory population and approximately 40% were juvenile peregrines. The majority of these falcons were of the Tundra subspecies.
The US government also did a recent study of the impact falconers have on wild taken raptors. The study showed that falconers make no significant impact on raptor populations and that there is a beneficial impact and improved survival of the raptors taken as well as improved survival of the nestlings left. Falconers started the Peregrine Fund, and because of their dedication, knowledge of breeding and donation of money and peregrines, thousands of peregrines were released in the United States. Falconers were the primary force responsible for the return of the peregrine in North America. We recommend that the peregrine falcons use in falconry in California be consistent with the regulations for any other healthy raptor species. WRTC also believes that there should be no special considerations, limits or quotas necessary to protect the peregrine in California beyond those in the falconry regulations.
WRTC would like to again thank you for the opportunity to voice our support to delist the peregrine in California and we are in full support of that decision.
The Tundra peregrine was never endangered but was placed on the endangered species list because of the look alike clause of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 1994 the US Government removed the Tundra peregrine from the ESA, 14 years ago. The Tundra peregrine is the most highly migratory peregrine, flying from the Tundra to South America each fall. This is the falcon that has been traditionally taken in the fall, on passage, (first year of life), by falconers and utilized for falconry. The mortality of first year birds is about 70% and they are more likely to survive in a falconer’s hand than in the wild. Theses birds were traditionally released in the spring to return to their breeding grounds and were more likely to survive.
In 1999, almost 10 years ago, the American peregrine was removed from the ESA by the US Government. Their numbers have grown exponentially and have far surpassed the numbers documented pre DDT. Falconers have traditionally utilized these birds as well in the same way as the Tundra peregrine. The government has done studies to document the numbers of Peregrine falcons in North America and their numbers surpass many of the other non endangered raptors utilized for falconry in this country. Last year, in Curry Hammocks in the Keys of Florida, they counted 2100 peregrines over a month period and estimated that they were counting 10-16% of the migratory population and approximately 40% were juvenile peregrines. The majority of these falcons were of the Tundra subspecies.
The US government also did a recent study of the impact falconers have on wild taken raptors. The study showed that falconers make no significant impact on raptor populations and that there is a beneficial impact and improved survival of the raptors taken as well as improved survival of the nestlings left. Falconers started the Peregrine Fund, and because of their dedication, knowledge of breeding and donation of money and peregrines, thousands of peregrines were released in the United States. Falconers were the primary force responsible for the return of the peregrine in North America. We recommend that the peregrine falcons use in falconry in California be consistent with the regulations for any other healthy raptor species. WRTC also believes that there should be no special considerations, limits or quotas necessary to protect the peregrine in California beyond those in the falconry regulations.
WRTC would like to again thank you for the opportunity to voice our support to delist the peregrine in California and we are in full support of that decision.