Is the illegal wildlife…

Is the illegal wildlife trade to become MNRF policy under Ontario’s Conservative government?

Falconry is not a true traditional sport in Canada, and I cannot think of any way it can be incorporated into traditional Canadian hunting. Falconry originated in the Middle East several centuries ago in a very different landscape. I cannot see the purpose of transplanting that pursuit here. The world has changed, and many wild species now face the risk of extinction.

I fear Ontario is being enticed to allow live-trapping of Red-Tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Merlins and other wild raptors and birds of prey because some anticipate money in their capture. A number of birds will die in the process. Ontario's bird populations are already in trouble, with a number of them being declared threatened or endangered.

It is time for Ontario to have a conversation with Committee members who preside over the Convention on the International Trade in Exotic Species (CITES) to learn why such a simple-minded change in provincial policy could place the lives of these birds at risk.

I have perused the background documents for this ERO posting and note the following section:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/falconry

Proposal to expand the live capture of wild raptors (birds of prey) by licensed falconers

“Native birds

The following species are classified as native falconry birds:
• bald eagle
• golden eagle
• peregrine falcon
• northern goshawk
• gyrfalcon
• northern harrier
• broad-winged hawk
• Cooper’s hawk
• red-shouldered hawk
• red-tailed hawk
• sharp-shinned hawk
• American kestrel
• merlin
• great horned owl
• northern hawk owl
• snowy owl

Non-indigenous birds

The following species are classified as non-indigenous falconry birds:
• prairie falcon
• saker falcon
• lanner falcon
• lagger falcon
• Harris' hawk
• feruginous hawk
• Swainson’s hawk
• Bonelli’s eagle
• European kestrel
• European sparrow-hawk
• tawny eagle
• steppe eagle

Possessing a falconry bird that is an at-risk species

Licensed falconers in Ontario can possess, transport, buy or sell falconry birds that are both captive-bred and featured on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as extirpated, endangered or threatened.”

I read this posting with a rising sense of alarm.

It is time for the Conservative government of Ontario to wake up and ask itself what it is ‘conserving’. What does ‘conservation’ mean?

These larger birds are important to the ecosystem for catching small mammals and other birds, such as pigeons, thereby controlling those populations. There is NO REASON to place them at risk of becoming part of the illegal trade in wildlife, and that is exactly the situation to which Ontario is ‘opening the door’ with this naive thoughtless posting.

If the small population of human ‘falconers’ (estimated to be 200 in Ontario, according to this ERO posting) want to have such birds to keep them tethered to perches, or caged, for their amusement, then it should be mandatory for them to CONTINUE to buy falcons ONLY from licensed breeders who have reared these birds in captivity. WILD BIRDS should never be hunted and trapped to provide entertainment to falconers, though the Ontario government appears to “see money” in associated fees.

It is very likely many of these birds would NOT survive the ordeal of being captured. As captured birds, how can they mate and lead a normal natural life? How can they raise their young? What happens to the young if either parent is ‘captured for falconry use’ before the young have fledged? Haven’t humans already caused enough damage to wild bird populations by clearing natural forests through logging, mining, and expansion of settlements along with retail, commercial and industrial complexes? And all the new and expanding roads and highways!!

Even worse, a number of these birds could be captured and sold into the illegal wildlife trade around the world, and that means some could end up stuffed for ‘trophies’.

Ontario seems to be taking a ‘gamble’ on the wildlife trade. Nature is not being protected in Ontario at all now. For this current Ontario government, if ‘life’ is not being cut down, hunted, trapped, drained, bull-dozed and paved, or turned into some form of human ‘industry’, then that ‘life’ is probably being ‘sold out’ in Ontario. There seems to be zero support for conservation of wildlife in Ontario.

Here is Interpol’s 2018 report on the scale of the illegal international wildlife trade:
https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2018/Wildlife-crime-gl…

This Interpol report explains how seemingly innocent operations can get caught up in this global illicit trade.

What are the responsibilities of the falconer re: this posting? The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) makes it very clear that this is a very time-consuming responsibility, and the bird demands care 365 days/year:

https://www.n-a-f-a.com/page/What_is_Falconry

The NAFA website states that it takes seven years to complete a falconry apprenticeship, and it emphasizes how the falconer is responsible for each day of the captive bird’s life. It cannot be locked in a case like rifle, or hung up like a bow and arrow. This 'wild' bird needs fresh meat every day, and it needs the freedom to fly, which means the falconer must have permission from any landowner where the bird is released to hunt.

Now, it is time for Ontario to review the following federal regulations about wildlife:

See https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/convention…

Pay attention to Section 5 of the above-mentioned CITES publication, specifically:

"4. Compliance promotion and enforcement of CITES and WAPPRIITA

4.1. Compliance promotion

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) works in partnership with a broad range of enforcement partners to secure compliance with WAPPRIITA. These partners include the Canada Border Services Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and territorial law enforcement bodies and conservation authorities, as well as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. ECCC is also an active partner on the international stage in promoting and verifying compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Compliance with the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and INTER-PROVINCIAL Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) is verified by various means, such as reviewing permits, auditing importers’ and exporters’ declarations, conducting inspections at ports of entry, conducting routine or spot inspections of wildlife businesses, sharing information with border officials and other national and international agencies, gathering intelligence, and following up on tips provided by the public.

“4.1.2. Enforcement activities

Illegal trade in wildlife threatens the conservation of species and the socio-economic benefits that legal trade in wildlife can provide. Poaching and trafficking undermines conservation efforts to manage populations, for example, through use of quotas (maximum number of specimens that can sustainably be removed from the wild population). Populations of species may be decimated by over-exploitation driven by illegal trade.

Wildlife trafficking worldwide has been increasing in value since 2005. There is now clear recognition in the international community that the issue of the illegal wildlife trade has reached significant global proportions. Illegal wildlife trade and environmental crime involve a wide range of flora and fauna across all continents, estimated to be worth $70 to $213 billion USD annually. Based on UN statistics and criminal intelligence through INTERPOL, the illegal trade and poaching of plants and other wildlife is estimated to cause loss of resources worth $7 to $23 billion USD per year globally (2016 estimate).”

If there are approximately 200 falconers in Ontario, then they should continue to purchase their captive birds from licensed breeders. Leave Ontario's wild populations of birds of prey to live out their natural lives in their natural habitat. Put more effort into expanding and conserving natural areas and forests.