ASU ornithologists released falcons into the wild

21 October 2016 For Science Newspaper
Yesterday, on 20 October 2016, ornithologists from Altai Falcon Rare Birds Nursery under Altai State University and their Moscow colleagues released into the nature 5 saker falcons confiscated from poachers at Moscow customs office a year ago. The event was confined to the day for remembrance of outstanding scientist, social activist and talented teacher Eduard A. Irisov, who trained a number of Altai ornithologists.

The birds were delivered to their homeland by Head of Scientific Center for Biodiversity Preservation under All-Russian Scientific and Research Institute of Environment Protection Alexander G. Sorokin.

A year ago these rare falcons were caught by poachers on the territory of Altai Krai. Then they were taken to Moscow for further illegal transportation. The birds were supposed to be delivered to one of the Arabian countries, where falconry is considered to be traditional.

The contraband batch consisted of 17 gyrfalcons and 7 saker falcons, although not all of them survived and 2 birds lost their ability to hunt and were kept by Moscow ornithologists for the purpose of breeding.

The scientists could not get the falcons immediately due to time-consuming bureaucracy and peculiarities of Russia legislation, so it was impossible to release the birds promptly. However, right after all the problems were solved, the falcons were sent for rehabilitation to the Russian Falcon Center, which is a subdivision of All-Russian Scientific and Research Institute of Environment Protection.

The falcons spent about a year in the Center, where they were fed, cured and prepared for release to the wild. The birds lived in a large aviary, having all necessary conditions created for hunting. That is why they arrived to Altai full of energy and ready for living in the natural environment, despite the fact that they had flied not by themselves but by plane.

“Saker falcons have always been an important part of Arabian traditional falconry,” explained Alexander G. Sorokin. “Falcons of Altai are considered to be the largest and the most valuable birds for hunting. They are much larger than their European counterparts and they hunt for big game. Moreover, Altai birds are very interesting, because their genetics is similar to the genetics of gyrfalcons that live up north. In old books saker falcons were even called Altai gyrfalcons. Gyrfalcons are the largest falcons and Altai saker falcons are closely related to them.”

The ceremonial event was also attended by Head of Altai Falcon laboratory V.N. Plotnikov, E.A. Irisov’s widow N.L. Irisova, Head of ASU Zoological Laboratory V.Yu. Petrov, employees of ASU Zoological Museum D.V. Ryzhkov and A.G. Inozemtsev, etc. The ornithologists watched the falcons taking wing and flying away from people with great pleasure.

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