Saker Falcons have for many centuries been trapped sustainably for falconry, typically while on migration. Most of them were released after the hunting season.
Saker Conservation
Since 1990 some Saker populations declined due to electrocution, poisoning and excessive trapping, as well as large scale change in land use. A Saker Falcon Task Force was established by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species to draft a Global Action Plan for the Saker Falcon. This network is an action of the Saker GAP, which aims to conserve Sakers through sustainable use.
A report by an international group on Sustainable Use and Livelihoods, which included falconry experts from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, was written for the Saker GAP. The report used information from Hungary, Kazakhstan and elsewhere to predict that European and Asian Saker populations above 80 pairs would sustain use in falconry if there was no trapping of adults in breeding areas. However trapping on migration of falcons marked in nest areas could be very useful for estimating size of Saker populations. The report therefore recommended a portal for falconers, trappers and falcon hospitals. This would help them to exchange useful knowledge, with sponsoring of marking birds in breeding areas and competitions to help monitor populations, and to promote best practice in keeping trapped Sakers healthy.
The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey
The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) has members in almost all of the countries in the world where there is falconry, including most countries with wild Sakers. IAF worked with United Arab Emirates to have falconry recognised by the United Nations as Cultural Heritage.
IAF has joined with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species to tell you more about:
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