Rare Birds Confiscated in Russia

20 March 2009

(Moscow, Russia) - Six highly-endangered gyrfalcons have been handed over to IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and Moscow-based Wild Animal Rescue Center (WARC) for rehabilitation and release back to the wild after being confiscated during an attempted smuggling operation.

The birds were discovered packed tightly in a cardboard box at a military airport near Moscow in very poor condition. Gyrfalcons are prized by falconers and can fetch anywhere from US$10,000 to US$100,000 on the black market.

Gyrfalcons are listed in the Russia Red Book as critically endangered and completely banned for trade and export under CITES (the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species).

“Although the capture of this species in Russia is illegal, dozens of these wild birds are seized by customs, police or special service in Moscow airports annually,” said IFAW’s Grigory Tsidulko.

As few as 2,000 gyrfalcons remain in the wild in Russia. Their main habitat is above the Polar Circle, from the Kola Peninsula to Chukotka. Smugglers target female falcons due to their larger size, superior hunting skills, and higher prices. The high demand for gyrfalcons threatens the population with extinction.

All six birds are currently receiving veterinary care and only one of the birds has begun to eat on its own while the rest are depending on force-feeds to survive.

The birds will be treated and monitored for the next week. Once nursed back to health they will be flown 11,000 km to Kamchatka for release back to their original habitat.

For media-related inquiries, contact:
Michael Booth (IFAW, Headquarters)
Tel: +1-508-744-2076
Email: mbooth@ifaw.org

Igor Beliatski (IFAW, Russia)
Tel: +7-495-933- 3411
Email: ibeliatski@ifaw.org