Friends of the Amur Falcon
Current initiative
Published
"File:Amur Falcon (31017740655).jpg" by Mike Prince from Bangalore, India is licensed under CC BY 2.0
In 2013 the Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Trust (NWBCT) initiated their ‘Friends of the Amur Falcon’ campaign. The campaign aims to reduce hunting of the Amur Falcon through education, patrolling and enforcement and the creation of ‘Amur Falcon EcoClubs’ to involve children through education, crafts and photography.
Lead
Location
Nagaland, India.
The poaching and wildlife trade problem
Species affected Amur falcon Falco amurensis
Products in tradeLive or dead birds sold as food.
Overview of the problem
In October every year huge numbers of Amur Falcons migrate through Nagaland on their way to South Africa. The density of the birds during this time makes them an easy target for locals looking to make money by selling the birds at local markets.
The anti-IWT initiative
At the core of the initiative is a focus on education. Volunteer locals with varied backgrounds such as teachers and church workers to hunters looking to reform will be trained to deliver educational programmes to children in the local villages about the plight of the Amur Falcon. In addition to this the formation of EcoClubs have further engaged children in Amur Falcon conservation through activities such as fieldwork and crafts. As part of the EcoClubs the children can receive an ‘Amur Ambassador’ passport which is a symbol of their commitment to Amur Falcon conservation and has proven to be particularly popular.
Inclusion of gender, age and ethnic groups
This approach is targeted on the youth with a range of activities such as arts and crafts and photography to engage with them.
The strategy
Improving education and awareness
Further detailEducation of local children is central to the initiative and adults from the community volunteer to receive training to carry out educational sessions.
Organisers, donors and partners
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Birdlife, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation (RRCF) and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT).
For further information contact (peoplenotpoaching@gmail.com).