birds of prey

Threats

The biggest threat to birds of prey is man-made. Environmental pollution, rapid urbanization, increased use of pesticides and rodenticides, and wildlife trade have destroyed birds of preys’ natural habitats and impacted populations in a number of ways. Deforestation, climate change and human population growth has led to a decrease in adequate prey in the wild and loss of these birds’ safe nesting and breeding sites. Human conflict and persecution have also affected birds of prey. They are often seen as a threat or nuisance to communities and are shot or poisoned. Some birds of prey are caught and kept in captivity as exotic pets and for falconry, both legally and illegally.  It is impossible to fully replicate wild conditions in captivity, so birds often suffer physically and psychologically. This can lead to birds exhibiting abnormal and sometimes self-harming behaviors. Raptors that have spent long periods in captivity may become too habituated to humans or too physically compromised to survive in the wild.  

Our work

Beijing is home to a key migratory corridor for many raptor species, and although China’s Wildlife Protection Law categorizes all raptors as Class I and II protected animals (making them strictly prohibited from hunting, trafficking and trading) birds in this region are still subject to the threat of the illegal wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict, loss of habitat, pesticide and rodenticide ingestion, and malnutrition.  

So in 2001, IFAW co-founded the Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (IFAW BRRC) with Beijing Normal University (BNU) and endorsed by the Wildlife Protection Station of the Beijing Forestry Bureau. IFAW BRRC rescues, rehabilitates and returns to the wild sick and injured birds of prey, as well as those confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. It is the only designated raptor rescue center in the Beijing Municipality and it is committed to improving the standards of care for rescued birds of prey in China.  

Birds of prey that are admitted to IFAW BRRC routinely suffer from an array of injuries, from fatigue due to inadequate prey in the wild, to gunshot wounds. However, they are in safe hands. IFAW BRRC is a dedicated bird of prey hospital staffed by professional raptor rehabilitators and veterinarians. In the past 20 years, our rehabilitators have rescued over 5,300 birds of prey from all over Beijing.  

Once the raptors have received treatment for their physical, behavioral and psychological needs, they are tested to ensure their flying competency has been fully restored and they still retain a natural instinct against humans. Once these boxes are ticked, the bird is released back to the sky, at a time and place carefully selected to optimize the released bird’s chance of survival in the wild. More than 53% of the birds of prey rescued by BRRC have returned to the sky.  

IFAW BRRC continues to monitor the raptors as part of a post-release monitoring program (PRM) to ensure the wellbeing of the bird and inform data-driven adjustments to the rehabilitation and treatment process. 

During the pandemic, our work didn’t stop. Faced with a multitude of challenges, from sourcing food and medical supplies to keeping staff safe, the IFAW BRRC team sprang into action to ensure the raptors in our care were looked after and could return to the sky as soon as they are able. Read about our story.