THE PEREGRINE FUND

working to conserve of prey in nature

fall /winter 2005

newsletter number 36 TPF photo

t a recent board meeting hosted by Jacobo and Greta Paxson Offield was honored for his long-term support Lacs, The Peregrine Fund Chairman of the Board, and leadership in Harpy Eagle conservation and research A Paxson Offield (center), and Founding Board Mem- while Bob Berry was honored for his support of Neotropical ber Robert Berry (right), were awarded Panama’s highest raptor research and conservation, in particular his efforts honor, The Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero. with the Orange-breasted Falcon. The award was presented by the President of Panama, Over the last 50 years, recipients of this award have Martin Torrijos (between them) and the First Vice-President, included Queen Elizabeth II, Sean Connery, and the Fire Samuel Lewis Navarro (left). Our biologist, Angel Muela, Department of New York. holds the immature male Harpy Eagle.

Board of Directors of The Peregrine Fund OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Paxson H. Offield Ian Newton, William A. D. James Nelson Tom J. Cade, Ph.D. Roy E. Disney Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Julie A. Wrigley Chairman D.Phil., D.Sc., FRS. Burnham, Ph.D. Secretary Founding Chairman Chairman of the Chairman of the Chairman of of the Board Vice Chairman President Chairman of the Professor Emeritus Board, Emeritus Board, Emeritus the Board, Emeritus Chairman of the of the Board Board, Emeritus of Ornithology, Chairman of the Chairman and Chairman and Board and CEO, Senior Ornithologist J. Peter Jenny President, Nelson Cornell University Board, Shamrock Chief Executive CEO, Wrigley Santa Catalina (Ret.) Vice President Construction Holdings, Inc. Officer, The Investments LLC Island Company Natural Environment Karen J. Hixon Company Goldman Sachs Research Council Treasurer Group, Inc. United Kingdom Conservationist

DIRECTORS Lee M. Bass Frank M. Bond James H. Enderson, Ph.D. Donald R. Kayser Ruth O. Mutch R. Beauregard Turner President, Lee M. Bass, Inc. Attorney at Law and Rancher Professor Emeritus Private Investor Investor Fish and Wildlife Manager of Biology Turner Enterprises Robert B. Berry Robert S. Comstock The Colorado College Jacobo Lacs Carl E. Navarre Trustee, Wolf Creek President and CEO, International Businessman Book Publisher and CEO, Russell R. Wasendorf, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Robert Comstock Company Caroline A. Forgason and Conservationist MyPublisher, Inc. Chairman and CEO, Rancher, Falcon Breeder, Partner, Groves-Alexander Peregrine Financial and Conservationist Scott A. Crozier Group LLC Patricia B. Manigault Peter G. Pfendler Group, Inc. Senior Vice President, Conservationist and Rancher Rancher Harry L. Bettis General Counsel, Z. Wayne Griffin, Jr. James D. Weaver Rancher and Secretary Developer, G&N Carter R. Montgomery Lucia Liu Severinghaus, President, Grasslans PETsMART, INC Management, Inc. President and CEO, Ph.D. Charitable Foundation, P. Dee Boersma, Ph.D. Longhorn Partners Pipeline Research Fellow, and Rancher Wadsworth Endowed Chair Patricia A. Disney Robert Wood Research Center for in Conservation Science, Vice Chairman, Johnson IV Velma V. Morrison Biodiversity P.A.B. Widener, Jr. University of Washington Shamrock Holdings, Inc. Chairman and CEO, President, Harry W. Taiwan Rancher and Investor The Johnson Company, Inc., Morrison Foundation and New York Jets LLC The Peregrine Fund Staff

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL Linda Behrman Panama THE PEREGRINE FUND Roger Benefield Aracely Abrego Joell Brown Eloy Aripio NEWSLETTER NO. 36 • FALL/WINTER 2005 Joe Burke Calixto Conampia Bill Burnham Marta Curti Kurt K. Burnham Omar Fernández Pat Burnham Briceño Flaco Jack Cafferty Próspero Gaitán Emma Christensen Margarita Gordon Aplomado Falcons Donna Daniels Noel Guerra Population changes linked to precipitation in Chihuahua ...... 2 Sam Davila Yanina Guevara Cameron Ellis Kathia Herrera Edward Feltes Edwin Jimènez Vincent Frary Magaly Linares Brian Gloshen José de Los Santos Cooperation among diverse groups protects Condors ...... 4 Sherri Haley López Tim Hauck Priscilla Maloney Michael Haynes Gabriel Minguizama Arctic Program Bill Heinrich Rodolfo Mosquera Grainger Hunt Angel Muela Jack Stephens, photographer and “Go To Guy” ...... 6 J. Peter Jenny Julio Ovispo Leslie Jonart Bolìvar Rodrìguez Paul Juergens Fidel Sabugara Harpy Eagle Saskia Santamarìa Megan Kaiser Released eagles adapt to new homes in ...... 8 Lloyd Kiff Josè Vargas Thomas Lord Mark Watson Michael Maglione Angel Montoya Muhammad Asim Vulture Crisis Amel Mustic Faisal Farid “Awesome Asim” honored as Conservation Hero ...... 10 Brian Mutch Pan Jenny Myers Simon Thomsett Frank Nebenburg Munir Virani Pemba Scops Cathie Nigro Folklore and history describe Trish Nixon Tolojanahary R. A. Chris Parish Andriamalala this elusive “creature of the night” ...... 12

Nick Piccono Adrien Batou Jack Stephens, jackstephensimages.com Travis Rosenberry Be Berthin Cal Sandfort Noel A. Bonhomme Velma Morrison Interpretive Center Amy Siedenstrang Razafimahatratra Russell Thorstrom Christophe From life science to literature, students of all ages satisfy their curiosity here ...... 14 Randy Townsend Eloi (Lala) Fanameha Rick Watson Loukman Kalavah Eric Weis Eugene Ladoany Madagascar Jim Willmarth Jules Mampiandra Môise Gift to the Earth Award honors local conservationists ...... 15 Archivist Charles (Vola) S. Kent Carnie Rabearivelo Jeanneney Rabearivony Global Raptor Information Network Berthine Rafarasoa Using the internet to connect raptor enthusiasts ...... 16 Norbert (Velo) Rajaonarivelo Jeannette Rajesy Marius P. H. Rakotondratsima Yves A. Rakotonirina Gaston Raoelison Bien Aimè On the cover: Rasolonirina Gilbert Cal Sandfort took Razafimanjato this photo of an adult Joseph Razafindrasolo in Lova J. M. Razanakoto Chihuahua, Mexico Lily-Arison Rene de while conducting Roland The Seing Sam research. Gilbert Tohaky

The Peregrine Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. © 2005. Edited by Bill Burnham and Pat Burnham. Photo Editor Jack Cafferty. Design ©2005 by Amy Siedenstrang. Business Office (208)362-3716 • Fax (208)362-2376 • Interpretive Center (208)362-8687 [email protected] • http://www.peregrinefund.org Chihuahua Monitoring Project Update al Sandfort C

a sido buen año para el halcon aplomado.” “It’s been a good year Angel Montoya “Hfor the Aplomado Falcon,” says Roberto Rodríguez, the biologist currently in charge of our operations in Chihuahua, Mexico. After over a decade of drought conditions, Chihuahua received above average rainfall in 2004, setting the stage for an upswing in Aplomado Falcon reproduction. Since 1996 The Peregrine Fund has supported moni- Floating wildlife escape toring the Aplomado Falcon in Chihuahua, focusing on ramp in stock tank at breeding activities and falcon prey. The goal of this proj- Rancho Coyamito, Chi- ect has been to gain knowledge of the falcon’s ecology huahua, Mexico. while building local interest and capacity with ranchers, Angel Montoya universities, and students. Since the project began we have seen the falcon population fluctuate from around 35 pairs to a low of 18. Additionally, the number of young falcons produced every year has declined from 1.25 young per occupied territory in 1996 to a low of 0.81 young per occupied territory in 2001.

2 Ample rains and good ranch management produce good falcon habitat and more young falcons.

30 Graph depicting Tinaja Verde 25 changes in grassland Sueco numbers at the 20 Sueco and Tinaja Verde study sites from February 1998 15 to January 2005.

10 Birds per hectareBirds

5

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Another Mexican biologist and former employee this population apparently can respond to environmen- of The Peregrine Fund, Alberto Macias-Duarte, tal factors such as rainfall. Ample rains and good ranch recently published a manuscript in The Auk which management produce good falcon habitat and more suggests a strong relationship between Aplomado Fal- young falcons. cons, their prey, and precipitation. He illustrated that As we learn more about the Aplomado Falcon’s an increase in rainfall increases seed production in ecology in Chihuahua, Mexico, we are implementing rangeland grasses which then provides forage for win- management tools that can benefit them. While this tering grassland birds, such as Savannah and Vesper project continues to emphasize monitoring and build- Sparrows. These grassland birds then serve as the prey ing local capacity, we have begun working with local Aplomado Falcons feed their young. So basically, an ranchers in implementing management practices favor- increase in rainfall may translate into an increase in able for the Aplomado Falcon. This year we installed 10 the number of young produced by a pair of Aplo- more wildlife escape ramps to stock water tanks mado Falcons. throughout our study area. This brings the total number This year we are glad to report that following the of escape ramps in operation throughout falcon territo- 2004 summer rains we observed an increase in prey ries to thirty. Installation of these ramps has proven very numbers which parallel more young falcons being pro- beneficial. Since we began installing them, we have had duced in 2005. This year’s productivity was 1.4 young no falcons drown in equipped tanks. These ramps also per occupied territory. This is the best productivity we are beneficial for other species. have seen in a long time! It also shows us how quickly

3 Thom Lord prepares Condors in Motion to rappel into a Condor nest site.

f ever a landscape lends itself to the soar- ing of great birds, it is the canyon and Grainger Hunt Iplateau country of northern Arizona and southern Utah, a world of updrafts created by the interposing of immense rock walls upon wind and sun. We people are ant-like in that country, proceeding slowly and cautiously within its vastness of stone and color, but for species that move upon the wind, the cliffy landscape offers easy and rapid passage any- where. Not surprisingly, then, the California Condor, the greatest of all North American wind-riders, has found travel accommodations perfectly suitable since its rearrival in 1996. That was when The Peregrine Fund began releasing

captive-bred youngsters from cliff tops north of the ish

Grand Canyon. With subsequent yearly releases and Par

careful, patient monitoring and management, this Chris now wild population exceeds fifty individuals. Some based transmitters that give an approximate location have reached adulthood, and pairings among them every day or so. The new ones are equipped with GPS have produced several wild fledglings. The flock is (Global Positioning System) receivers designed to There is patient everywhere apparent, having developed an annual record the condor’s precise location, usually within cycle of movement within the region. In spring and 100 feet, every daylight hour. These extraordinary respect for the summer, the birds frequent the South Rim of the transmitters, generously provided by the Arizona Grand Canyon where they regularly wow the visitors, Game and Fish Department and manufactured by understanding many of whom travel there just to see condors. Some Microwave Telemetry, actually weigh less than the nor- condors move north to the Zion area near Saint mal VHF transmitters the condors are accustomed to gained from George, Utah, remaining until mid-fall. Others spend carrying. Each day, the satellites beam their accumu- their time on the Kaibab Plateau and along its western lated data to an earthly receiving station which, in science and good border overlooking Kanab Creek. Most condors return turn, sends an e-mail to The Peregrine Fund. The in winter to the release site atop the Vermillion Cliffs e–mail attachment contains encoded information sense as problems where easy food is always available. which can be programmed by means of a computer Keeping tabs on condor movements has several mapping system to display the movements of each are detected and purposes. One has to do with the behavior of inexperi- tagged condor on a topographical map. These position enced birds, especially during the early months of their fixes are immediately forwarded to the field workers resolved. freedom. Newly-released condors sometimes sleep in responsible for monitoring the birds. places accessible to coyotes and other predators. Con- Among the many advantages of the new transmit- scientious tracking reveals these risky roosts and allows ters is their ability to show sudden, speedy flights to field workers to haze the condors to safer places. unexpected or inaccessible areas, thereby doing away Another form of manageable behavior stems from with the necessity of lengthy road trips to assure that excessive curiosity among young condors, an innate all is well. The GPS transmitters guide field workers characteristic that sometimes brings them too close to directly to areas occupied by condors, a system far humans. Routinely hazing these birds to more appro- superior to the trial and error of ground searching. The priate sites has worked to change these undesirable precise and frequent location fixes call attention to behavior patterns. Repeat offenders, like errant school abnormal events or those that in other ways suggest children, are sometimes placed in detention (“time close attention, for example, the location of wild food outs”), a strategy to break patterns of undesirable items or the activities of newly-formed pairs. behavior that has proved remarkably effective. Over the One such series of events involved the love life of years, the trend has been toward better and better condors 136 (female) and 187 (male), both with GPS behavior, partly because of monitoring and manage- transmitters. For several winter weeks they explored ment, and partly from the maturing of flock members the vastness of canyons and cliffs for a special place to from whom the younger condors take their cues. nest. After much deliberation they found a remote Tracking wild condors in Arizona and Utah went and ancient Anasazi cliff ruin in a secret side-canyon into technological overdrive in 2004 with the applica- of the Kaibab Plateau where they began making tion of new transmitters that report condor locations repeated visits. Their eventual egg failed to hatch to satellites. And these aren’t just ordinary satellite- despite months of diligent incubation, but we have 4 Immature Condor over Indian Gardens, northern Arizona. ish Par Chris learned that failure is a frequent outcome of first nest- ing attempts. Meanwhile, there are two wild-produced condors on the wing in Arizona, and two still in their The Peregrine Fund and the nests, waiting to fledge. Arizona Game and Fish Monitoring efforts have also produced a better Department staff members, understanding of mortality factors affecting the popu- Chris Parish (left) and Chuck lation. The most frequent of these is lead poisoning, Emmert, respectively, cooperated the risk of which has grown with the condor’s increas- on the filming and production ing tendency to forage upon wild food sources. Fol- of an Emmy Award winning lowing upon several lines of circumstantial evidence, film As Curious As a Raven, we used x–rays to study bullet fragmentation in deer. featuring California Condors in The results, scheduled for publication in the winter northern Arizona. The award 2005 issue of the Wildlife Society Bulletin, showed that was presented to Chris and the majority of rifle-killed deer remains contain Chuck at the 28th Annual numerous lead fragments. This finding dispels our Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards prior belief that bullets usually pass through intact. on 10 September 2005.

In late August 2005, the American Ornithologists Bob Miles, Department Game Arizona and Fish Union hosted a condor symposium at the University of California in Santa Barbara where The Peregrine Fund to encourage hunters to participate in condor restora- biologists presented three scientific papers, each detail- tion. Hunter response to a Department questionnaire ing a portion of research on condor lead exposure in about condors was overwhelmingly positive, and at Arizona. Chris Woods began with an analysis and dis- the time of this writing, three-quarters of the deer cussion of condor mortality factors and attributed the hunters who drew tags for the 2005 deer season in the encouraging trend in overall survival to frequent testing Kaibab region of northern Arizona had accepted the and treatment for lead ingestion. Chris Parish followed Department’s offer of two boxes of lead-free bullets. with a detailed description of the lead monitoring and Design breakthroughs have made such bullets highly management program in Arizona. In hundreds of tests suitable for hunting, and many hunters consider them of condor blood samples, forty percent indicated lead superior to conventional lead-based varieties. exposure, and some showed very high levels requiring These developments hint of a time when the con- emergency therapy. Grainger Hunt then provided an dor population in the canyon country can be healthy analysis of condor movements in Arizona in relation to and fully independent, a vision borne of open and lead exposure. He showed that condor blood levels abundant cooperation among conservation biolo- increased dramatically during the fall deer seasons and gists, wildlife officials, hunters, and public generosity. that high blood-lead levels were associated with condor There is patient respect for the understanding gained visitation to deer hunting areas. from science and good sense as problems are Following the three presentations, Kathy Sullivan detected and resolved. Hard work most certainly lies of the Arizona Game and Fish Department gave a ahead, but the light of eventual success shines far much-applauded summary of the Department’s efforts more brightly in the distance. 5 The High Arctic “Go To Guy”

ince 26 June 1973, The Peregrine Fund’s Arctic Program Coordinator, Jack Kurt Burnham SStephens, has lived and worked at Thule Air Base, northwest Greenland, located 690 miles north of the Arctic Circle and only 800 miles south of the North Pole. The base was constructed in secrecy because of the Soviet threat in 1951-53, with its defense mission evolving through the decades. Today, beyond the defense mission, the U.S. Air Force secondarily supports scientific research at Thule. Jack Stephens works as a civilian weather forecaster in one of the most unpredictable and severe environ- ments on the planet, the High Arctic, where blistering winds reach over 200 miles per hour, blizzards occur any month of the year, and the sun does not appear above the horizon between November 2nd and Febru- ary 10th. Almost everything is affected if not controlled by the weather, particularly field work on birds of prey, to include travel on ice-choked seas and windswept tun- dra. It was therefore only natural that we visited the Jack Stephens weather station when we first began working in the looking through a Thule area in the mid-1990s. hole in an iceberg. Meeting Jack, we soon discovered his talents extended ile photo F far beyond forecasting to photography and natural his-

Fledgling female Gyrfalcon, northwest Greenland, 2005. Jack Stephens, jackstephensimages.com 6 tory. He is the Thule naturalist and nature photographer from the Air Force for our exclusive use. Jack helped par excellence. While other people working there spent refurbish the 185 by 24 foot “flat top,” patching holes vacations in lower latitudes, Jack took his vacations in the wall, painting, cleaning, and later adding wet and camping out in remote locations to photograph and dry labs, offices, workshops, storage areas, and sleeping learn about the arctic geology, plants, and , at rooms. The Peregrine Fund makes this unique High Arc- times not leaving the Thule area for years on end. When tic facility available for other researchers who have on base, Jack, like other residents, lived in a small bed- come from the United States, Canada, Greenland, and room in a 1950 vintage barracks with one somewhat Denmark. Many of the U.S. researchers are sponsored larger “day room” and kitchen shared with a dozen other by the National Science Foundation. residents. Beyond a small bed, his room was wall to wall, For everyone using our facilities, Jack is the “go to floor to ceiling classical music, non-fiction books, photo- guy,” being one of Thule’s most long-term and highly graphic equipment, and files of photos. His enormous respected residents. Jack is always ready with an answer rock collection he kept outside. With Jack’s interests and or solution and if he doesn’t have one he will find you talents it was only natural he soon became a valued somebody that does. Additionally, he keeps up facility member of our field team. Now we do not know how we maintenance and takes care of the day-to-day cleaning. could work in the High Arctic without him. During summer months Jack also acts as a critical mem- Access to Thule is almost exclusively on military air- ber of our boat crew, helping with fueling and oiling, craft and charters, and invitational orders and security loading and unloading the boat (at times in a dry suit clearance are required. There must also be sleeping wading well over his waist to shuttle gear to and from space at the base for each person and during the busy the boat), and photographically documenting our sum- summer months there frequently are none. Long-term mer activities. There is not a job Jack cannot or will not research cannot be accomplished if access is a problem. help out with. You can always count on Jack! To overcome this obstacle, with Jack’s help, in 1997 we With this article we provide images taken by Jack in saved an old barracks from demolition and rented it northwest Greenland.

Atlantic Puffin on Dalrymple Rock, northwest Greenland. Jack Stephens, jackstephensimages.com 7 Recently-released Harpy Eagle with its prey. Angel Muela Harpy Eagle Releases in Belize

Angel Muela n 2002, 17 Harpy Eagle chicks successfully The first such release of one of the independent hatched at our Neotropical Raptor Center birds from Panama took place in January 2005 in the & Marta Curti I(NRC) in Panama. We released many of Rio Bravo Management and Conservation Area in those birds into Soberania National Park, just outside northern Belize—a 100,000 ha tract of protected forest of Panama City, when they were approximately six that is managed by Programme for Belize and that is months old. These releases were proving that the cap- also connected to other large expansions of forest that tive breeding and release of large forest eagles was pos- extend into Guatemala to the west and into the Gallon sible and could be done with a large degree of success. Jug area to the south. We knew that Harpy Eagles could Due to these accomplishments, and the large number survive in Rio Bravo, a place that is teeming with of eaglets bred in captivity that year, we were ready to wildlife such as coatimundis, kinkajous, possums, replicate the release effort in another country within agoutis, howler and spider monkeys, curassows, and . many other potential prey items. We did not know, In March of 2003, we arrived in Belize ready to however, how well a Harpy Eagle from Panama could release two captive-bred Harpy Eagles into the forests adapt to the forests of Belize since that country lacks of that country for the first time. With the help of local one of the Harpy Eagle’s main prey items—the sloth. partners, like the Forest Department and The Belize To our relief, we found out that our birds adapted Zoo, we built a hack box, a special aviary located in very well to their new home. Just a few days after the the middle of the Chiquibul Forest (the release site), first independent eagle, a male named Sulub, was obtained the needed permits, infrastructure, and logis- released, our volunteers found him with a grey fox. tical support, and trained the volunteers that would Since then, Sulub has been seen with a variety of prey look after the birds for the following months. items. Sulub is now a three-year-old sub-adult that has Since those first eagles were set free in Belize, a total been moving extensively and is now over 100 km away of seven birds have been released in the country. As a from his release site. We hypothesize that he is now in way to make the releases in Belize more efficient, we a phase of his development when he needs to dis- decided to change our strategy and release only inde- perse, possibly looking for his own territory in which pendent birds in Belize. This means that the youngest to settle down. birds are first released in Panama, where they are more Independent birds, like Sulub, are released with easily monitored and cared for, and once these birds satellite transmitters (PTTs) so we can track their become independent and are hunting on a regular movements from afar. Satellites orbiting the Earth reg- basis, they are captured and re-released in Belize. ularly relay the eagles’ positions to our computers.

8 … these birds can move several hundred meters with no apparent effort, and the distance that takes an eagle 30 seconds to cover can take us, sometimes, over 30 minutes.

This information alone is aging and dispersion ecol- an enormous help when ogy of our independent the eagles begin to dis- eagles. Particularly, we are perse away from their interested in answering release site. We are now important questions obtaining, for the first related to the eagles’ prey time ever, important data selection in Belize and on dispersal behavior of how that compares to the sub-adult Harpies. This eagles we have already information will be a key studied in Panama. factor to keep in mind for The study will involve future releases and man- having two teams of agement programs for intrepid and experienced large forest eagles. volunteers follow, on a Other independent daily basis, a male and a birds released in Belize female Harpy Eagle for are now beginning to about one year. They will wander away from their document and record release site, and will pos- observations of hunting sibly start to disperse, like events, habitat use, move- Sulub did a few months Dense forest, ments, and other relevant ago. One of those birds, a ideal habitat data. Following a Harpy female named Stella, was for a released Eagle through the forest originally released in the Harpy Eagle. with the use of conven-

Chiquibul Forest in west- Angel Muela tional radio-transmitters ern Belize as a dependent juvenile. Shortly after she can be a difficult and intricate task. One has to con- became independent, and before we could fit her with sider that these birds can move several hundred meters a PTT, she moved almost 20 km from the release site with no apparent effort, and the distance that takes an into a remote, virtually inaccessible part of the forest. eagle 30 seconds to cover can take us, sometimes, over Despite our efforts to track and trap her, the rugged 30 minutes. In addition, the insect conditions, the karstic terrain found in that area of the Chiquibul For- constant humidity, the rain, and the slippery, rugged est made ground monitoring almost impossible. An terrain slow our progress through the forest. The infor- additional concern is that some areas of the Chiquibul mation gained from studying top-predators, using a Forest are frequented by poachers. Fortunately, the combination of space technology (PTTs) and more rugged area where Stella is located keeps people away. conventional tracking methods employed by our field We are conducting regular flights to track her move- crew (map, compass, telemetry receiver, and a ments from the air, so that we can go in to capture her machete), will be important to better understand the if she moves close to an area of the forest that is more ecological needs of large forest eagles, and will help accessible and that could put her at greater risk of decision-makers to better manage the remaining tracts coming into contact with humans. of forest that Harpy Eagles and countless other species Several more birds will be released in Belize in the call their home. Despite the difficulties and challenges next few months. In addition to the on-going releases involved in this undertaking, this type of study will be that are already taking place, we are also planning to a pioneer effort and the first of its kind ever done with carry out essential research projects regarding the for- Harpy Eagles in Belize.

9 Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Names

ith the help of local conservation ture Crisis Project. On that infamous day, our interna- Rick Watson organizations, in August of this year tional team of experts, biologists, veterinarians, and Wthe Disney Wildlife Conservation diagnosticians was meeting at The Peregrine Fund’s Fund identified Conservation Heroes from five regions headquarters in Boise, Idaho. We were puzzled by our around the world. The Peregrine Fund’s Muhammad own lack of success at identifying the cause of death Asim, Asian Vulture Crisis project manager, was cho- in Asian vultures, and concluded that we must return sen by a panel from Walt Disney World for one of the to to get even fresher and many more sam- six global awards. Recognizing that conservation initia- ples of tissues from dying vultures. But that tragic day tives are only as successful as the people involved with sparked a chain of events that stopped us from send- the project, this program was created to recognize the ing our team back to Pakistan for many months. So, efforts of local residents. the instruction to collect more and fresher tissue sam- When in 2000 biologists failed to identify the cause ples from dying vultures was passed on to Asim. He of the catastrophic decline in numbers of vultures in did not say “no” or “impossible;” he just went to South Asia, and then sug- work in his quiet, gentle, gested a “new infectious diligent way. disease, possibly a virus” When vultures die in Asim is not a as the cause of renal failure temperatures that daily killing them, we went to reach a blistering120º F, biologist; he is work. We assembled an they must be found and international team of dissected within one to an accountant experts and began a two hours or the tissues methodical investigation. decompose too much to be by training, We based our studies in useful. To say that Asim Pakistan where the largest had to “catch them as they an ordinary numbers of vultures fell from the sky” is not remained, where we could too far from the truth, and person who legally collect freshly dead required dedication to field and dying vultures, and work that few accountants quickly began from where we could read- (that I know!) possess. ily export vulture tissues to Nevertheless, Asim skill- achieving the United States for fully led our Pakistani stu- sophisticated analyses not dents in the effort to meet extraordinary possible in Pakistan. It our request. They worked sounds straightforward, but at night to collect the results. it was not. Permits to col- freshest samples possible. lect, permits to export, per- They carried coolers of dry

mits to import, airline Munir Virani ice into the field so they regulations on transport of liquid nitrogen, and people, could freeze the samples as soon as they were col- people, people (otherwise known as bureaucracy) all lected. And they packed the tiny samples in liquid conspired against this vital task. nitrogen in a special but very suspicious looking Enter Muhammad Asim. Asim cared about nature “nitrogen shipper.” Simply finding enough dry ice and and the fate of vultures in particular, and he demon- liquid nitrogen in rural Pakistan was a feat in itself; strated the tenacity, skill, and patience needed to help and cajoling complaining students and overcoming us overcome the enormous difficulties of collecting the religious and social taboos of handling dead ani- vulture tissues and exporting them, in liquid nitrogen, mals, especially vultures, were ongoing accomplish- to the United States. Asim is not a biologist; he is an ments attributed to “Awesome Asim.” accountant by training, an ordinary person who Then, in the wake of 9/11, airline regulations on quickly began achieving extraordinary results. He tack- carrying liquid nitrogen stiffened, and when the war in led and solved the problems and problem people with Afghanistan began, British Airways—the airline that diligence, honesty, gentleness, and his characteristic carried our sample shipper—quit flying out of Pak- wry sense of humor, and quickly earned the nickname istan. It seemed that the painstakingly collected sam- “Awesome Asim.” ples were to remain stuck in Pakistan. But weeks of By September 11, 2001, Asim was a Peregrine Fund work and many meetings later, Asim’s good natured employee, the in-country manager of the Asian Vul- diligence paid off yet again, and the samples finally

10 Muhammad Asim “Conservation Hero”

arrived in the United States. Here, our team of experts determined definitively that the samples showed no sign of infectious disease. The cause must be some- thing else; something new and previously unknown to science. Instructions again went back to Asim, “please sur- vey veterinarians and pharmacies and list all the drugs and pesticides used on livestock.” And so it was that, in late 2002, we scanned a list compiled from over 70 interviews across the Pakistan Punjab. One drug stood out as a possibility. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug was being used by every veterinar- ian and sold by every pharmacist. It was unusual because it was rarely used in veterinary practice in the U.S. and Europe, it was known to cause kidney failure in mammals under certain circumstances, and it had recently been introduced to the veterinary market. Could this be the vulture killer? The samples were tested again—and diclofenac was found with a perfect correlation between the presence of diclofenac and death by renal failure in vultures. We knew we had found the cause, but we still had A sunset in to prove it! In April 2003 our veterinarian, Martin Pakistan, but Gilbert, returned to Pakistan for the first time since hopefully not for 9/11 and Asim was there to help conduct the testing three species of needed to prove diclofenac’s complicity. Again, per- vultures. mits, logistics, and shipping critical test samples back Below: The to the U.S. for analysis were entrusted to Asim. A Disney medal month later our preliminary results were presented to awarded to Asim.

an international meeting of scientists; by January 2004 Munir Virani they were confirmed and published in the journal and purchased at regular intervals. During the height Nature. A week later they were presented to senior of the breeding season, the colony of vultures con- government officials from Pakistan, India, and . sumed five to ten large carcasses per day! The effort Finally, the ball was rolling towards saving Asian vul- requires constant attention and tending to the tures from certain extinction! vulture’s needs by a team of dedicated indi- The team of experts that proved diclofenac was the viduals led by Asim. Nearly two years culprit received congratulations and accolades from later, the Toawala vulture restaurant is their peers and the press. But one, an ordinary man still the most significant applied conser- who did extraordinary things, a keystone of the project vation intervention for vultures occur- without whom no results would have been achieved, ring in South Asia. Others are working not a scientist, an accountant by training, a hero by hard to ban diclofenac in veterinary actions, quietly, modestly went on with his work. In use (just a few months ago the Indian late 2003 Martin and Asim started the first, and still Prime Minister announced the six-month the only, “vulture restaurant” in South Asia. The aim phase-out of veterinary diclofenac), and to was to feed vultures with clean, uncontaminated food start vital captive breeding efforts to save in the hope that they would prefer to feed at the these species from extinction, but The Peregrine restaurant, located within yards of the largest known Fund’s vulture restaurant is the only working field remaining vulture colony in Pakistan, and thereby intervention aimed directly at the heart of the prob- reduce their exposure to diclofenac and reduce their lem—reducing diclofenac poisoning in the wild. death rate. Asim’s work continues to be the most expedient and Asim was again tasked, this time with figuring out critically important, buying vital time for others to get how to make this restaurant work. Religious and social their longer-term interventions into place. “Awesome taboos had to be overcome, and a reliable, abundant Asim” is a conservation hero; an ordinary person who source of uncontaminated carcasses had to be found does extraordinary things—each and every day!

11 Re-evaluating the Status of the Pemba

n overwhelming feeling gripped me as meandering estuaries, stunning azure blue coral reefs Simon Thomsett and I stood motion- with bleached sandy beaches and tiny islets that con- Munir Virani Aless listening to the nocturnal cacoph- cocted all sorts of exotic images in my mind. As we were ony of the Ngezi Forest at two am in the about to land, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and morning. We were in the heart of this tropical moist for- focused on the task ahead. est on the spice island of Pemba, 50 km off the East So why were we here? Well, Simon and I always African coast waiting to get our first glimpse of the talked about Pemba. And then in early January 2005, a endemic Pemba Scops Owl. I suddenly thought of my funding opportunity coincided with a request from Mr. grandmother and recalled her sometimes horrific bed- Alawi Hija of the Ministry of Environment in time stories from when I was five years old. She spoke to help evaluate the conservation status of the little- about Shariff of Pemba, a religious leader who sunk into known Pemba Scops Owl, endemic to the island of the ground when his enemies from Tanga caught up with Pemba. The island is classified as one of the 218 him in the 15th Century. And now, here I was, standing Endemic Bird Areas of the World having a relatively meters from the exact spot where Shariff’s moss fes- high number of endemic taxa. Pemba is believed to be tooned tomb laid. Thousands of slaves fled and sought more closely related to the Eastern Arc Mountains, hav- refuge here during the slave trade era. The night was tran- ing been isolated from them by a deep channel for sev- quil. Orion and other constellations blazed through the eral million years. night sky illuminating the forest floor. We could hear the The Pemba Scops Owl has historically been The owl stared resonant “hoots” of the Pemba Scops Owl and the inter- described as “common” all over the island, occurring in mittent sinister laughter of the Galago Bush Baby. forests and the densest parts of and mango plan- back at me, Finally, Simon shone his flashlight above my head. tations as well as other thick foliaged trees. Virtually “There it is,” he whispered. I looked up through my nothing is known about the natural history and biology locking eyes– binoculars, but all I saw was the bottom section of a of the species and it seemed inappropriate that it is not small beefy fluff of feathers that twitched every time listed as a Red Data bird. The owl is intricately linked in a sad, almost there was a hoot. “I need a better view,” I whispered Pemba folklore (its local name is Kihodi), its perception back to Simon who groaned again at my impossible that of a “mysterious creature of the night that cries at submissive look. demands. Exasperated and tired, I crawled on my hands regular intervals.” Thus it is more often heard and not and knees to where Simon was standing and turned seen. In fact, the late Dr Leslie Brown noted many years Before I could back to get another glimpse of what is perhaps one of ago that locals believed the species to be viviparous the most threatened endemic scops in the world. (gave birth to live young rather than laid eggs)! Our take a photograph, There it was, in resplendent russet-brown plumage. A goals were to conduct a pilot investigation of the distri- stocky, beefier version of the Sokoke Scops Owl, a glob- bution and abundance of owls on the island and evalu- it was gone. ally endangered owl found almost 150 km north and ate threats to the species and determine whether there 80 km west on mainland coastal Kenya and Tanzania, was a need for conservation action. respectively. The owl stared back at me, locking eyes—a Accompanied by local guides and government offi- sad, almost submissive look. Before I could take a pho- cials, Simon and I commenced a week-long survey of tograph, it was gone. “Blast,” said Simon with an obvi- one of Africa’s least-known owls. Each night we meticu- ous hint of frustration. We managed to find our way to lously conducted call-response surveys of the owls the main path and slowly walked back in silence along transects in different habitat types to get a feel of towards our camp. owl densities. Eventually, a pattern began to emerge. I am still uncertain how Simon and I managed to Although the Pemba Scops Owl is considered “com- pull off this visit to Pemba. Both of us were knee-deep mon,” we found this to be by no means its correct sta- in work with releases, African Fish Eagle tus category in any habitat other than indigenous forest. monitoring, and saving vultures in South Asia. And yet, It became fairly obvious that the owls were mainly con- here we were, amidst scented and aromatic trees of fined to Ngezi and Msitu Mkuu. Both are tiny remnant , cinnamon, mango, and every kind of spice tree forest patches of 14 km2 and 3 km2, respectively, of or shrub imaginable. Our 12-seater plane took off from which only small proportions are suitable owl habitat. Zanzibar’s main airport on Unguja that afternoon, and The owls also occurred at lower densities in the old- although I was suffering from a bad cold, I soaked up growth clove forests, much of which are now being rap- the spectacular views from the window. The plane idly cleared into open farmlands to make way for more approached the southern side of Pemba and descended lucrative crops such as rice and cassava. Historically, towards Chake Chake, Pemba’s administrative capital. 65% of Pemba was covered with moist tropical forest, To my right, there were innumerable Borassus palms, but with the progression of the spice and slave trade

12 Munir Virani during the 14th Century, much of the island was be challenging, and will present opportunities for train- planted with clove trees and other spice shrubs from ing conservationists, students, and resource professionals Indonesia. Now, with a collapse in the global prices of on Pemba. Ultimately, the Tanzanian government will cloves, these historically established owl habitats are fast have to take the responsibility of ensuring the survival of shrinking and along with them the number of owls. To this unique owl and its associated fauna and flora. compound the problem, parts of the indigenous forests As we lift-off from Pemba, my earlier exotic images had been excised to make way for rubber plantations, undergo a reality transformation. I see half-naked chil- now abandoned and devoid of owls. It is all too famil- dren running around a burning field. Modern day iar as we found ourselves monitoring yet another Africa is plagued with problems—degraded forests, species in rapid decline. There is no question that the scourge of disease, civil strife, rapidly growing human conversion of areas that were formerly established old- populations, high levels of poverty, and an increasing growth clove plantations is now a serious threat to the feeling of insecurity. And yet I cannot help but cling to long-term survival of the owls. There is therefore a clear the quintessential image of a not-so dark continent that rationale in re-evaluating the species’ conservation sta- continues to enthrall the world—a wilderness tus before it becomes too late. untamed—captured in moments when a leopard To conserve the Pemba Scops Owl and its habitat it pounces on a duiker, but also when time stands still will be critical to understand the species’ natural history, and the hoots of an owl in distress plead for survival. its habitat requirements, and the environment in which We cannot turn our backs on a continent that needs us it lives. The research required to gain this knowledge will now more than ever.

13 Education at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center ith its prime location at The Peregrine Fund’s headquarters in Boise, Idaho, Cathie Nigro Wthe Velma Morrison Interpretive Cen- ter lends itself to its principal goal of public education. Local and out-of-town guests alike are attracted to the Interpretive Center, drawn by the live birds, state-of-the- art exhibits, and multi-media presentations. Time and again, visitors are fascinated to learn not only about the biology and ecology of birds of prey, but also the world- wide conservation efforts of The Peregrine Fund.

The Interpretive Center staff has focused its efforts Jack Cafferty …students learn on providing dynamic educational programming to Rachel Tuttle displays her drawing of a Bateleur Eagle that our visiting K-12 student population, offering more she completed during an interdisciplinary summer program that scientists opportunities to meet the growing and varying needs focusing on art and the biology of birds of prey. of educators and their students. Through the presenta- do not operate tion of high-quality, age-appropriate educational pro- An exceptional example of how current conservation grams for all students at all levels, we strive to make topics are being used with middle school and high in a bubble, and every student’s visit to our facility an unforgettable school students is the Asian Vulture Crisis Classroom experience. A visit to the Interpretive Center is as capti- Activity and Town Meeting. Often, students learn about that there are vating for our first-grade guests as it is academically the dramatic decline of the Asian vulture population for sophisticated and intriguing to our high school and the first time upon visiting the Interpretive Center. They economic, cultural, college ornithology students. discover how scientists tracked down the crisis’ culprit In addition to our standard general tour program, through a series of experiments in which multiple social, religious, the facility regularly began offering an array of topical hypotheses were set forward and subsequently discarded programs in the spring of 2005. Now educators may after thorough testing—a textbook example of the scien- and political choose from a selection of 15 different programs, all tific method in practice. Then the students learn about of which coincide with Idaho State Science Standards, bird biology and how it can be easily affected by the concerns to con- according to the ages of their students and their curric- pharmaceutical diclofenac when it is introduced into the ular interests. Providing a host of interdisciplinary top- food chain. In a group discussion format, students tend with when ics enables instructors to use raptors as a “lens for explore the devastating effect of removing a decomposer learning” about history, art, math, anatomy, physics, (vultures) from an ecosystem, and begin to recognize all addressing any literature, and more. These programs demonstrate that of the individuals who are affected by the removal of a students at all grade levels and in all subjects can use vital scavenger, like the vulture, from the environment. conservation the birds of prey theme to address content standards. Finally, students partake in a “town meeting” designed For example, one of our most frequently requested to simulate the discussion that would happen among dilemma. tours is “ through the Ages,” a program that key individuals that are affected by, or have contributed combines the adaptive biology of raptors with a look to, the Asian vulture crisis. Through this students learn at the historical uses of birds of prey and the develop- that scientists do not operate in a bubble, and that there ment of falconry in different locations across the are economic, cultural, social, religious, and political globe. Feedback from educators participating in the concerns to contend with when addressing any conserva- new programs has been very positive, and these topi- tion dilemma. (For more information on the Asian vul- cal offerings continue to be regularly requested. ture crisis, or for a copy of the classroom activity, please One of the facts that continues to surprise instruc- visit www.peregrinefund.org.) tors is the contemporary nature of many of the issues Through the development of this interdisciplinary facing Peregrine Fund biologists, from the propagation and interactive approach to education, we continue to of large species such as the Harpy Eagle, to maintaining strengthen ties with our partners in the community of genetic diversity among California Condors, to investi- educators who are faced with the daily challenges of gating and ultimately discovering the cause for the dec- providing learning opportunities that are meaningful imation of three Asian vulture species. The ongoing and relevant in today’s world. We hope that by intro- field work of our biologists provides students with con- ducing unique educational programs, authentic service tinuous, up-to-date learning opportunities. These cur- learning opportunities, and summer programs we can rent conservation projects are frequently used as a not only continue to serve as a vital resource to educa- springboard for introducing such global classroom top- tors, but also enlighten visitors to the important role ics as the scientific method and the nature of science. raptors play in our constantly changing environment.

14 Gift to the Earth Award – Madagascar

o ensure the survival of the endan- Fishermen collect their catch at one gered Madagascar Fish Eagle, it is of three lakes protected by local …the model Russell Thorstrom Timperative to save its natural wetland community associations. habitat. Ten pairs of fish eagles, almost 10% of the established by species’ entire global population, are resident breeders on three large lakes in western Madagascar about The Peregrine Fund 300 km due west of the country’s capital city. These lakes support a valuable freshwater fisheries resource has been copied and are surrounded by a healthy deciduous forest, both important to the economy of local communities and and applied in many survival of fish eagles. During the mid-1990s, the annual increase in migrant fishermen led to an over similar situations utilization of the fisheries and forest resources causing a direct impact on the local communities’ livelihoods throughout the and breeding success of fish eagles. We found the com- munities were conscious of the future and sustainabil- country. ity of their resources and were interested in working with us to control their use. Together, we implemented a new Malagasy law in which local communities can be granted authority to manage and conserve the natural resources in designated areas. With our help, in 1997 local villagers created two

community associations, FIZAMI and FIFAMA, to Lily-Arison Rene de Roland begin the process of obtaining governmental approval fledging in 2004. By the end of 2004 to manage the wetland’s fisheries stocks and sur- FIZAMI and FIFAMA were the first com- rounding forest resources. It was a difficult and time- munity associations to finish their consuming task that had more to do with sociology three-year probationary period with a than conservation biology, but in September 2001 the positive performance evaluation by the associations passed a significant milestone: the Mala- Malagasy government. gasy government granted them a probationary three- The accomplishments of the two year management period to test whether they could associations quickly became well known control and maintain the local resources they shared in conservation circles of Madagascar, with fish eagles. and the model established by The Pere- The two associations began the probationary grine Fund has been copied and applied GELOSE (an acronym in French for Local Manage- in many similar situations throughout ck Watson

ment Charter) process supported financially, logisti- the country. At least 35 other community Ri cally, and technically by The Peregrine Fund. The three conservation associations have been created. In 2004 Immature main objectives the associations had to accomplish this success led World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to Madagascar were (1) to limit the number of permanent fishing honor the two associations with their prestigious Gift to Fish Eagle. camps to only eight on the three lakes and the num- the Earth Award, WWF’s highest award for globally sig- ber of fishermen allowed to fish by a permit system to nificant conservation achievement. 400 individuals; (2) to record daily information and On June 30th this year, the two associations passed data on fish harvest during the fishing season at each another major milestone in their pursuit of natural camp; and (3) ensure that all fishing camps were situ- resource management and conservation. They became ated far from fish eagle nests to minimize disturbance the first to be granted a 10-year probationary manage- during the breeding season (June-October). Not only ment period from the Malagasy government. The Pere- did the associations succeed in meeting these goals, grine Fund will continue, as needed, to provide but they also took it upon themselves to cultivate and support, guidance, and advice to the associations to transplant 2,184 seedling trees into forest areas that help them manage and conserve the natural resources had been cut and harvested prior to their taking con- on which they depend and which they share with trol. As testament to their overall success, Madagascar Madagascar Fish Eagles. Our notion that “what’s good Fish Eagle productivity increased from four young suc- for local communities is good for fish eagles” is prov- cessfully raised annually before 2000, prior to the ing to be true, at least for conservation of natural associations’ management period, to eight young resources in this important wetland site in Madagascar.

15 GRIN: Global Raptor Information Network

he Global Raptor Information Network tion, , movements, habits, habitat, food and (GRIN) is a web-based project main- feeding behavior, breeding, conservation, current Lloyd Kiff Ttained by The Peregrine Fund to provide research, and important references, plus at least one detailed information on diurnal birds of prey (eagles, photo of the species. For many species, the general hawks, and falcons) and to facilitate communication account is linked to pages with much more extensive between raptor researchers of the world. The GRIN information on many of these topics. “Mini-galleries” of Adult Ornate web site can be accessed through our web site, photos will soon be linked to the accounts, making it Hawk-Eagle. www.peregrinefund.org, or at www.globalraptors.org. possible to illustrate individuals of different ages and Still in its initial sex, plus multiple races of widely distributed species. stages, GRIN is an ever- The species accounts are linked to the homepages or evolving project designed web sites of persons who actually study each species to provide detailed bio- with the hope that virtually all raptor researchers will logical information on eventually be willing to participate in GRIN. This has the diurnal raptors of the the added advantage of making the researchers them- world, help identify pri- selves aware of other individuals studying their ority species for conser- “favorite” species, and it should lead to valuable new vation actions and associations. GRIN participants are able to post their species in need of further contact data, photo, biography, notes on their research study, provide access to interests, and lists of their publications on their home- the technical literature pages, which they create themselves. Since the “release” for researchers and stu- of GRIN in August 2005, 31 researchers representing 13 dents in remote loca- countries have signed up as participants. tions, establish a global Perhaps the GRIN feature of greatest interest to network of raptor researchers is the searchable bibliography of technical researchers and conserva- and popular references on diurnal raptors. This data- tionists, post informa- base currently contains over 24,000 records with more tion on new research being added daily. The Peregrine Fund Research Library findings and raptor con- maintains a standing offer to supply free pdf copies of servation issues, and pro- any of these articles in our collection upon request, and vide links to other web we have already responded to over 300 such requests sites of interest to raptor from researchers from over 40 countries. enthusiasts. An extensive network of links is maintained to other At the heart of GRIN web sites of potential interest to raptor aficionados, is a comprehensive including raptor organizations, large information data- species database which bases, raptor observatories, raptor listservers, and over allows users to generate 200 technical journals which publish articles on raptors. uricio Ramos

Ma raptor species lists for The latter list is the largest of its kind on the Internet 260 countries and island groups, based on their conser- and, like several other GRIN features, is of interest to The goal of GRIN vation status, population trend, estimated population ornithologists in general. There are also “bulletin size, and family. The database supports searches on board” sections with details on upcoming raptor meet- is to provide a one- multiple terms, so it is possible to generate a list of all ings, recent raptor news, requests for assistance, and job the endangered and vulnerable hawk species (Accipitri- opportunities. stop shopping dae) in the Neotropical Region or for any combination It is hoped that raptor researchers will support the of countries, for example, just those comprising Central GRIN project by creating their homepages and by allow- destination for America. This is useful for conservationists and land ing their photographs to be used on the web site. The managers who wish to prioritize their efforts and also goal of GRIN is to provide a one-stop shopping destina- persons interested identify species of concern that are not being studied. tion for persons interested in diurnal raptors, whether In addition, handbook-style species accounts are they are professional researchers, students trying to flesh in diurnal raptors. gradually being prepared for each of the 330 species of out a term paper, or just plain folks who have a special diurnal raptors, and these include sections on distribu- interest in these magnificent birds.

16 Support The Peregrine Fund’s projects with your purchases! The 2005 addition to Orders can be placed three ways: our series of holiday • Mail your completed order form and ornaments payment (see enclosed envelope) is the Amer- ican Kestrel. • Call 1-800-377-3721 Engraved on the back with • Go to www.peregrinefund.org, the year and the In this personal and highly where you can shop for these and name of the bird, entertaining memoir, Jim Enderson tells stories of a many other great items. We offer each ornament is a finely crafted keepsake to give or to add to your own collec- lifetime spent studying, books, games, puzzles, apparel, tion. See our online store for ornaments from 1994 training, breeding, and sim- educational toys, jewelry, and more. through 2004...... 17.50 ply enjoying Peregrine Fal- cons. He weaves in the Ordering is secure and easy! biology and natural history of the Peregrine, as well as anecdotes about its at once… Give two gifts traditional and widespread use in Gift memberships provide valuableand falconry, to offer a support to The Peregrine Fund broad portrait of this a full year of benefits to the recipient: splendid and intrigu- •Newsletter subscription ing falcon. •Annual report Paperback, 254 pages...... 22.95 • 10% discount on gift shop and catalog purchases •Special events notification front 2.75” Simply enter the recipient’s name and address on the enclosed form, and mail it in the attached envelope with your payment.We’ll do the rest! We will only directly request your Our Promise: contribution once a year and then it will be by NEW! Now you don’t have to choose among your mail, so please give generously.We will keep your favorite raptors—wear them all, on this preshrunk 100% name and address confidential.They will not be cotton t-shirt.The back features a collage of a Peregrine traded or sold to others.We will keep you Falcon, California Condor, Gyrfalcon, and Aplomado Fal- informed of our progress through reports, newsletters, and our web site.We will work hard con. White only. to see your dollars are spent carefully and effec- Youth S, M ...... 9.95 tively.We will do our best to make a meaningful Adult S, M, L, XL ...... 11.95 The is difference. Adult XXL...... 13.95 one of the few species ever restored from the Our field biologists never leave home without one—cotton canvas embroidered hats sporting your favorite birds verge of extinction. Find of prey and “The Peregrine Fund.” One size; adjustable strap. Back vent embroidered with raptor name. Colors out how it happened, as available as shown (green, blue, khaki, orange, berry, and tan/gray) ...... 17.95 told by 69 of the falconers, conservationists, biologists NEW and others who partici- COLOR pated in this monumental FOR effort. Full-color photo- 2005 graphs help tell the story, California Condor Gyrfalcon along with beautiful art- “Berry” hats work by Robert Bateman now available and many others.This is for Peregrine, one coffee table book that Condor, and won’t gather dust! Hard- Aplomado! cover, 394 pages. Peregrine Falcon Aplomado Falcon Harpy Eagle ...... 59.50 tan/gray only tan/gray Peregrine Falcon, North Greenland.

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