Peregrine Falcon Populations Their Management and Recovery

In 1965, the landmark Madison Peregrine Conference focused world attention on the precipitous population decline of the Peregrine Falcon over much of its range owing to the effects of organochlorine pesticides. As the most cosmopolitan naturally-distributed bird in the world, and as a top predator in the global ecosystem, the Peregrine was and is a unique biological monitor of the quality of the world's environments. Long known as the bird of kings, the Peregrine's preeminent position in falconry and its embodiment of nobility in the wild helped rally to the cause of biological conservation an extraordinary array of individuals and organizations. Its recovery both by natural and artificial processes is now well under way on at least two continents, and the Peregrine has become the premier example of success in single species conservation.In November 1985, more than 500 raptor biologists and Peregrine specialists met in Sacramento, California for a three-day conference on Peregrine biology and conservation. Their purpose was to assess the worldwide status of the Peregrine Falcon 20 years after the historic Madison Conference, and to celebrate the survival and growing recovery of this "fiercest and fastest" of all birds.The Peregrine Fund, Inc. is pleased to present, in this book, the proceedings of the Sacramento Conference and the results of additional related research. These papers demonstrate what can be done through cooperation, good will, and much hard work, to reverse a species' seemingly hopeless slide toward extinction. Hopefully, this book will contribute toward an enduring understanding of the Peregrine Falcon, and will serve, also, as an instructive case history for the preservation of other endangered species.Cade, Tom J. is the author of 'Peregrine Falcon Populations Their Management and Recovery' with ISBN 9780961983901 and ISBN 0961983906.