Falconers and falconry techniques have been at the forefront of raptor conservation for centuries.
Here in the modern west we tend to think of the conservation of species as a mantra of the twentieth century but in fact the great Kublai Khan, an avid falconer, as reported by Marco Polo was dedicated to his game reserves where his system of planting millet and grain as food and cover for pheasants and quails is still practised around the world today.
The Khan ruled more of the worlds people than any other man in history and he decreed an order to prohibit every person throughout all the countries under the Khan’s rule from killing hares, roebucks, fallow deer, stags or any other animals of that kind, including all large birds between the months of March and October.
This was probably the first close season ever declared for hunted species to breed and multiply unmolested.
Towards the end of the twentieth century falconers realised the plight of many raptor populations declining due to the effects of DDT had to be reversed.
Captive breeding of raptors in Zoological collections had been very poor but with their unique skill and knowledge of raptor care falconers were soon breeding raptors in very large numbers.
Enough in fact to reverse much of the damage done to the wild population of peregrine falcons across the United States.

This unique skill and knowledge of falconers has been used to help conserve raptors throughout the world and continues to assist Bird and wildlife protection agencies when falconry and raptor breeding skills are required.

The following links and pages will give you more information on how falconry is and has been at the forefront of raptor conservation.