UP wildlife men net 14 rare falcons

NEW DELHI, OCT 20: Fourteen priceless peregrine falcons, the swiftest living creatures on earth and a Schedule One bird according to the I...

NEW DELHI, OCT 20: Fourteen priceless peregrine falcons, the swiftest living creatures on earth and a Schedule One bird according to the Indian Wildlife Act, on par with the tiger, were recovered from a trader in Unnau (Uttar Pradesh) on Thursday. The euphoric UP wildlife authorities say this is the biggest seizure so far of peregrine falcons in the country. Each falcon fetches as much as a tiger in the international market.

The consignment, preliminary investigations reveal, was meant for rich Gulf nations where falconry still has the dubious distinction of being the most popular sport — the peregrine falcon being the most sought-after bird of prey. If not rescued, they would have reached Dubai and from there would have been sent to Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries.

The Chief Wildlife Warden of UP, Ram Lakhan Singh, told The Indian Express that they swung into action after receiving information from their own sources and from the Delhi-based Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) about the captive falcons.

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“We got the information Wednesday evening, but it took us a few hours to alert our forest staff in Unnau and arrange a strong police posse as the trader’s house was located in the heart of city,” Singh explained. The operation was over in minutes, but the trader, Rashid, slipped through their fingers. Instead, the police apprehended his son Salim who was promptly remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a city court.

Known for its famous “downwind loop” high in the air while making a kill, the peregrine falcon often crosses the speed of 250 km an hour, much more than a cheetah on land.

One of the 14 falcons was found dead at the time of seizure. Ninety-one other birds, including 11 green pigeons, 26 quails and 14 partridges were also found from the premises, but as Singh said, “We were primarily after the falcons.”