December 4th is World Wildlife Conservation Day; a day which is aimed at raising awareness of the illegal wildlife trade of animals, birds and invertebrates and the need to protect our planet.
We would therefore like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about the Lugger Falcon and Project Lugger - an invaluable cause with which we are very proud to be involved.
Lugger Falcon
The Lugger Falcon
Over the last 20-30 years, the Lugger Falcon has undergone a serious decline due to various reasons. These include persecution through ignorance; illegal trapping in very large numbers for use in falconry; and being used subsequently as bait birds to catch other larger, more powerful falcons, again for illicit trade. The serious decline of certain key food species, such as the Spiny Tailed Lizard, has also had a dramatic effect on breeding.
Current population numbers are vaguely estimated as being in the region of 10,000 and 20,000 pairs - a startling drop from the population figure for 50 years ago that was more than 100,000 pairs.
“Even if we take the highest current population figure quoted - in our view erroneously - that still represents a dramatic decline in population levels of some 80%.” Project Lugger
So why is nothing being done?
“One of the main issues with the Lugger Falcon is that the countries it inhabits are going through serious humanitarian issues because of conflict, food shortages or political differences. As a result, the plight of a species of falcon is not understandably, a high priority during government decision making processes.” Project Lugger
This falcon also shares its habitat with far more promotable species that are in decline - Snow Leopards, Tigers, Asiatic Lions and Himalayan Bears - all of which are easier in many ways to raise funds for in order to sustain the promotion of the need for their conservation, and take active, practical steps to effect that conservation.
There is no doubt that the Lugger Falcon will indirectly benefit from the various habitat conservation programmes aimed at other species, but sadly there are still no projects, other than Project Lugger, that support this endangered falcon.
What is Project Lugger?
Project Lugger was established in 2017 by a group of UK bird of prey enthusiasts to bring to fruition the concern of one of Britain’s most respected falconers, Bob Dalton, and his feeling that something should be urgently done to assist with halting the rapid decline of this species.
The aim of Project Lugger is to build a gene pool of Lugger Falcons and domestically produce youngsters which will be exchanged with other breeders, until a stable breeding programme is established. Eventually it is hoped that young Luggers will be donated to the Governments and Wildlife Authorities of both India and Pakistan for them to establish their own breeding programmes.
Bob Dalton, who heads up Project Lugger, visited Suffolk Owl Sanctuary earlier this year to raise awareness of their conservation aims. He joined us during one of the displays as a special guest and presenter to a falcon we were flying, and was able to outline the issues facing the native populations of luggers, and detail ways in which we can help. We were also overjoyed to receive a certificate of appreciation of our work with Project Lugger which our General manager, Maz, was pleased to receive on our behalf!
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary are proud to be involved with Project Lugger, and currently have two breeding pairs at the sanctuary.
Maisie the Lugger Falcon has been with us now since May, and is coming on leaps and bounds with her training. We started by introducing her to the lure and she is now building her confidence, fitness and skill on the wing - invaluable attributes that future generations from the breeding programme will need in their armoury to survive in thee wild.
Maisie the Lugger Falcon at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Maisie will soon become one of Project Lugger’s ambassador birds and will help to raise awareness of the decline of native Lugger populations in their home range.
“The Lugger Falcon needs our help and it needs it now.” Project Lugger
Information provided in association with Project Lugger: http://projectlugger.com/home/4593840428