FALCONRY 101

Falconry is the use of trained falcons/raptors/birds of prey in the use of sport or game hunting.

Falconry is an art: it requires long hours and devotion towards the training and maintenance of a bird of prey. A falconer has to train a raptor to fly free, (target) hunting for a human being and eventually to return to the falconer.

A fledging falconer has to begin with acquiring knowledge–about the basics of the bird, their stages of life, characteristics, care and feeding requirements. Medical knowledge will also be required to recognize and treat birds with health problems. Proper housing will also be required, as would the use of various falconry equipment and furniture.

Falconry is not a casual hobby; it is a lifestyle.

FALCONRY IN HISTORY

Falconry emerged in the cradles of civilization.

With records dating back to more than 10,000 years ago, Persian falconers would argue that their civilization was the cradle of falconry. Iranian history documents that falconry existed during the time of the Pishdadid Dynasty of Persia, around 8,000 BC.

Regardless of where falconry was born, falconry will only be as old (or young) as the oldest decipherable records. The art of falconry itself may have emerged even earlier.

By the time the Great Khans, who practised falconry between military campaigns as a sport or hunting for food, falconry in 1,000 had already become a refined art.

By the time of Marco Polo in the 13th century, falconry had spread throughout Asia and Europe with China home to more than 10,000 falconers. Records indicate that falconry emerged in the Indian sub-continent around 600 BC while it arrived in Europe in the 5th century. In North America, falconry may not have emerged until the 17th century.

FALCONRY AS A CULTURAL HERITAGE

As a cultural heritage, falconry was a popular pastime of royalty and the sport of nobleman and aristocrats. These royal households and aristocrats essentially preserved the culture of falconry through the ages. In fact, the apparent consistency in systems and practices of falconry through the various regions raises the possibility that falcons may have been the ideal diplomatic gifts between kings and rulers.

Much of the language in falconry may well have been derived from Arabic, given additional credence to the Persian falconers' claim.

Sadly, the popularity of falconry declined with the advent and subsequently development of guns as a hunting tool. Yet falconry represents a natural method of predation, with a lower rate of take than shooting and negligible risk of prey escaping injured.

Since the 17th century, however, falconry has fallen victim to political unrest and wars. In France, this noble art fell with the aristocrats during the Fench Revolution and even the more the more recent overthrow of the Shah almost wiped out falconry from the alleged cradle of falconry. Sadly, its association with royalty and nobility did little to preserve the art in both cases.

Then came the modern wildlife conservation and protection laws that have essentially restricted this art even further. Laws in many countries prohibit unlicensed hunting of wildlife; trapping of raptors; and/or restrict ownership of raptors. Some countries even require falconry licenses.

Most recently, however, efforts have been directed towards elevating falconry as a world heritage. Many falconry clubs–from the Middle East to Europe–have already made applications to UNESCO to be listed as World Heritage Sites and/or for falconry to be listed as "Intangible Cultural Heritage."

FALCONRY IN MALAYSIA

Falconry is not illegal in Malaysia, per se; nor does it requires special licensing to become a falconer. Yet, the Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972, indirectly restricts the fledgling falconer. Not only does the Wildlife Act prohibit unlicensed game hunting, ownership of raptors requires "Special Permits," which are near impossible to obtain.

Only zoos and animal parks may find licensing raptors possible but fewer than half the 35 known zoos and parks rear or display raptors. Of these, only three are capable of or are free-flying eagles: two of them established by us at Animal Adventures Malaysia.

On Langkawi Island–recently declared a UNESCO Geopark–visitors may find bird of prey feeding demonstrations along mangrove swamps. Sadly, there have been claims that a number of these birds are succumbing to malnutrition as tour operators use only chicken skin–because they float on water–during feeding demonstrations. Few tour operators have taken the effort to discover the feeding requirements of these fascinating raptors, let alone the art of falconry.

Ironically, "Langkawi" is named after a legendary brown eagle–"lang kawi." Visitors arriving by sea at Langkawi Island will be greeted by a giant eagle that resembles a Brahminy Kite.

Regardless, falconry is essentially non-existent in Malaysia.

However, after an eight year application for our very own raptors, we have received "Special Permits" for several raptors. We are in the midst of acquiring raptors–both locally and abroad–through legitimate sources. By August 2007, we hope to be free-flying White-bellied Sea Eagles and Brahminy Kites, two species commonly seen on Langkawi.