IAF May 2019 eBulletin

Thanks to volunteer translators, this eBulletin is available in other languages. If you would like to take part, email muehle@iaf.org . If your language does not appear, we load  late translations onto the Facebook page

The meeting of the GTLA representatives will take place on the 12th of July within the frame of the 2nd Paraguayan International Falconry meet.

The Malta Falconers Club Honoured by the Patronage of The Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem

On the 27 April 2019, the Malta Falconers Club was presented protocol under the patronage of the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem,  by His Highness Prince Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem Don Basilio Cali of San Lorenzo,in the presence of the Order’s Dignitaries, Malta Falconers Club Committee members and guests. 

The strong ties of falconry in Malta genuinely relate with the Knights Order of St John, and Falconry is one of the oldest hunting practices which is still performed today as has been done for the past 4,000 years. Every year, on the 2ndday of November, a peregrine falcon used to be donated to King Charles V as part payment for the Maltese islands tenancy. Falconry was one of the Knights primary recreational practices, and at the time only the Grand Falconer could grant rights to hunt with falcons on the Maltese Islands. 

Guests at this event included a delegation from the Order of St John of Jerusalem; officials from the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU), which Unit has helped significantly to regulate the practice of Falconry in Malta, to the extent that today International Falconers regard Malta's respective framework legislation as one of the best in Europe; and the Vice-President of the Federation for Hunting & Conservation - Malta (FKNK), since the Malta Falconers Club is an affiliate member of the FKNK. 

Andrew Portelli

Secretary, Malta Falconers Club

SI ABDELLAH, L’ICÔNE VIVANTE DE LA FAUCONNERIE DU MAROC N’EST PLUS

 On vient d’apprendre avec beaucoup de  tristesse et une grande affliction, que la FAUCONNERIE de Doukkala vient perdre en ce Lundi 6 Avril  2019, l’un de ses inconditionnels maîtres et fervent gardien de ce patrimoine Universel, en la personne de Ssi Abdellah au Douar Smâala d’Ouled Frej, là où les derniers gardiens de la FAUCONNERIE du Maroc, en l’occurrence les anciens et sages de la tribu Lekouassem ont su comment garder vivante cette tradition ancestrale pour lui restituer aujourd’hui ses grandeurs et son aura d’autrefois.

Feu Ssi Abdellah qui faisait figure d’une véritable icône vivante, n’avait jamais manqué à l’appel du devoir, reléguant au second plan toutes ses préoccupations familiales pour focaliser toute son ardeur ses expériences et sa passion à la promotion de la FAUCONNERIE, que ce soit dans son fief, à travers le pays où à l’étranger en compagnie de Mohammed El Ghazouani qui préside l’Association des Fauconniers Lekouassem d’Ouled Frej et lui donne toute l’énergie nécessaire pour résister et aller toujours de l’avant.

De part ses traits très expressifs, sa fougue et son dynamisme, Ssi Abdellah disposait d’un statut particulier, que ce soit au sein de l’Association ainsi que dans les milieux extérieurs.Son image qui a pris le sens du “Fauconnier Marocain”, fait aujourd’hui le tour du monde et illustre toutes les revues, livres, articles ou documentaire où il est question de la FAUCONNERIE au Maroc.

En quittant ce bas monde, sa mission accomplie, Ssi Abdellah vient fermer un grand chapitre de l’histoire de la FAUCONNERIE des Doukkala, le chapitre de l’ancienne génération dont il a été le dernier membre encore en vie.

Le chapitre de tous ces résistants qui ont tenu bon et qui ont bravé toutes les difficultés pour imposer la pérennité de la Fauconnerie.

Repose en paix Ssi Abdellah, reposez tous en paix seigneurs et protecteurs de la Fauconnerie des Doukkala Ssi Ben Othmane, Ssi Kaddour, Ssi Berramou, Ssi Laanaya et Ssi Saïd. Vos sacrifice ne sont pas partis en vain.

Les grains que vous avez semé poussent dans les meilleures des conditions. La jeune génération qui portera le flambeau est bien aguerrie pour exaucer vos rêves et vos espérances.

L’Association dont vous avez toujours été fiers et où vous avez joué les premiers rôles avec l’appui et la veille inconditionnelle du maître et président de l’ Association Ssi Mohammed El Ghazouani, continuera son chemin avec la nouvelle relève avec vous avez partagé tout le savoir et les secrets que vous avez jalousement gardés depuis trésor longtemps.

Aussi, en ces tristes et pénibles circonstances nous présentons toutes nos condoléances à la famille du défunt ainsi qu’à Mohammed El Ghazouani et travers lui à tous les Fauconniers de la tribu Lekouassem de Douar Smâala.

Repose en paix Si Abdellah, tu nous manqueras.

Nous sommes tous à Dieu et à Dieu nous retournerons.

For information on registering for AECCA hunting and social events, please click here.

Project Lugger

Over the past four or five decades the Lugger Falcon (falco jugger) has declined dramatically over more or less its entire range in the wild and the reasons for this decline are many and varied. They range from human encroachment, loss of habitat, great reductions on natural food sources due to human interference and illegal trade.

Whilst the sources of the Lugger Falcon’s decline remain unchecked any form of domestic breed and release scheme for Luggers, such as those previously carried out with Peregrines, Condors and various Vulture species, are going to achieve absolutely nothing in terms of halting the population decline. However if something isn’t done, then all too quickly the Lugger could find itself on the precipice of being critically endangered.

Project Lugger evolved to try and form a safety buffer for the species in that domestically produced Luggers would be obtained and paired up in the hopes of gradually building up a diverse, as well as strong, gene pool that could form the basis of any future proposed breed and release scheme. To this end Beijing University came on board with DNA testing the Luggers within the Project and geno typing them. In this way the Project can ensure the Luggers that are paired up are done so with attention to blood lines and potential future pairings. We are exceedingly fortunate in that falconer/geneticist Dr. Mike Nicholls has joined us as scientific advisor.

Not only is the Project gathering Luggers for our own breeding plans, but we have supplied Lugger Falcons on long term breeding loan to falconers in France, Belgium and Portugal as well as in the UK where the Project is based.

The Project is also hoping to raise awareness of the Lugger Falcon by putting out on long term loan young Lugger Falcons to be used by well respected bird of prey and falconry centres within their display teams.  We have also initiated a young falconers club at our base where pupils are taught with Lugger Falcons as their subjects. We are also actively developing a school’s program in conjunction with Nicola Dixon, project manager at IAF schools links programme.

The Project is funded purely and simply by donations and out of the pockets of those initially involved. We are fortunate in that the Project has attracted some first class Patrons.  Some of these being renowned wildlife artists who have kindly donated paintings for us to sell to raise funds. In fact, I would have to say that probably the thing that has almost overwhelmed me since setting out on this Project is the sheer generosity and level of commitment and support the falconry community has shown to the Project. We certainly would not have come as far as we have in the last eighteen months without it. To falconers everywhere I can only say, thank you for your support.

Contact: projectlugger@gmail.com

University of Košice's Falconry Club Conference

IAF attended the first conference held by the University of Košice's Falconry Club. This Slovak university is a top-level accredited veterinary university, welcoming foreign students from many countries. Its raptor and wildlife course (led by IAF Advisory Committee member, Dr. Laco Molnar, is popular with the students and the existence of the campus falconry club means that, even those who do not become practicing falconers, will have a sound knowledge of raptor medicine by the time they graduate. Something of great benefit to all falconers.

Individual Subscribers

Individual Subscribers assist IAF financially, there are a number of options beiginning at €30. They receive a copy of the annual International Journal of Falconry (see above) and can attend the Council of Delegates Meetings of IAF, where they have automatic Observer status. Please click on the green button.

They receive log-in details to the IAF members page on www.iaf.org to access areas of the site not open to non-IAF. 

A new page for donations is now open and member organizations, non members and individual subscribers a can all can make donations to specific projects in which IAF is directly involved: .General purposes, DOD's, Saker Falcons, Preventing Electrocutions, Pedix Portal, Schools Links Project and Vultures

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