106 



Testimony of Frank M. Bond 

 WBCA Oversight Hearings 

 September 28, 1995 



not been any significant increase in the import and export of raptors for 

 any purpose. 



Raptors captured from the wild or bred in captivity for falconry purposes, 

 and subsequently imported or exported, are captured and transported with 

 the same humane techniques employed for banding and specimen 

 collection. In fact, the techniques developed by falconers later were 

 adopted by the scientific and conservation conmiunity . To be of any value 

 for falconry or captive propagation, raptors must be maintained in nearly 

 perfect physical and emotional condition. Therefore, proper care and 

 handling during capture and transport is foremost. Further, to transport 

 birds of prey internationally by air, a raptor must be shipped individually 

 in a specially constructed container prescribed in Container Requirement 

 20 by the International Air Transport Association and it must be 

 accompanied by a health certificate issued by a governmental authority 

 from the country of origin. 



Falconers and falconry techniques have been the cornerstone of raptor 

 conservation efforts throughout the world. We point with pride at our 

 efforts in the recovery of the Peregrine Falcon, now being considered for 

 delisting from the Endangered Species List. To be a falconer or a raptor 

 propagator, an individual must meet a series of very strict standards for 

 knowledge and maintenance facilities. These standards are in place at our 



