1. Falcon Conservation

2. What is Conservation ?
Conservation is the protection and wise use of natural resources
Some examples of natural resources are ;
Water
Animals
Plants
Fossil fuels
We must conserve natural resources to ensure their existence for the future
Without conservation many species could become extinct

3. Why conserve falcons ?
Falcons are predators - they hunt other animals for food
A falcon is a predator at the top of the food chain
Removing top predators from the food chain unbalances the ecosystem
When falcons disappear - small prey, like rodents, will increase in huge numbers. This can effect human health and agricultural crops

4. Biodiversity and falcons
The earth has many varieties of life forms
It is important that humans look after and maintain the rich ‘biodiversity’ of our planet
Falcons have appeared for many centuries in the history, art and folklore of many different world cultures

5. Threats facing falcons – Habitat loss
Habitat loss through large scale farming
Habitat loss can lead to falcons not having enough to eat and limited places to nest
Habitat loss can lead to falcons becoming endangered or extinct

6. Threats facing falcons - Persecution
Falcons have been killed by humans as it is believed that they compete for food
Falcons are trapped and sold to falconers. Many illegally trapped falcons die when being smuggled over country borders
These falcons were hidden under a shipment of fish
Falcons can be overhunted which leads to a drop in the numbers
These peregrines have been poisoned to stop them eating racing pigeons

7. Threats facing falcons - Electrocution
Electrocution can kill falcons, birds of prey and other birds
Birds perch on power lines, especially in flat areas and can be electrocuted if they touch a live line
A saker falcon electrocuted on a power line in Qinghai, China

8. Threats facing falcons - DDT
In the 1940’s a pesticide called DDT was used by farmers to kill insects that caused damage to crops
The insects absorbed the chemicals, small birds ate the insects also absorbed the chemicals
The peregrine falcon ate the small birds and absorbed high concentrations of the DDT chemicals
These chemicals made the peregrine egg shells very thin and caused the eggs to break when the peregrine sat on them
This led to huge decline in peregrine numbers – in some areas of the USA this falcon became extinct

9. Falcon release programmes
During the 1970’s biologists began breeding falcons in captivity
Peregrine falcons were bred in captivity and released into the wild in Europe and USA. Today, peregrines are no longer endangered
There are many examples of falcon re-introduction throughout the world
This is a re-introduction programme in Bulgaria

10. Captive breeding
In the past, all falcons used for falconry were trapped in the wild and sold to falconers
In the 1970’s falconers recognised the possibilities of breeding falcons in captivity for falconry
There are now many breeding facilities throughout the world that breed falcons for falconers
Breeding falcons in captivity means that less falcons are trapped in the wild

11. Conservation projects
The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi funds falcon conservation programs throughout the world
The Saker falcon is extinct in Bulgaria due to loss of habitat and over hunting. A re-introduction program has started
5000 artificial nests have been erected in Mongolia for saker falcons
Electricity lines are being fitted with perch deterrents to prevent falcons perching near the live power lines

12. Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the following photographers, falconers and research biologists for images and text used in this PowerPoint :
Stig Olsen
Chris Johnson
Dimitar Ragyov
Andrew Dixon
Vitaliy Sokolov
Paul Vercammen
Ma Ming
Peter Leek
Lee O’Dwyer