Endangered Species Programs
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is not only the fastest animal on the planet, but also one of the most diverse, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. However like many raptors and other apex predators, Peregrine Falcons are under constant pressure to survive. Australia is the last stronghold of the species; most populations in other countries are endangered.
The biggest threat to this species is the continued use of pesticides in agriculture. Because they are at the top of the food chain, Peregrine Falcons are at greater risk, as persistent insecticides accumulate in soils and body tissues and may be released later. These insecticides concentrate to the highest levels at the top of the food chain.
The worst of these chemicals are the organochlorins and cyclodienes. This threat reached Peregrine Falcons in Australia in 1946 with the introduction of DDT (dichlor-diphenyl-trichlor-ethane) and cyclodienes (dieldrin, aldrin, heptachlor). Animals break down the chemical DDT to DDD and DDE.
Extensive research and case studies over many years have shown that the effects of these insecticides manifest in female peregrines producing thin-shelled eggs. This has three possible outcomes:
- In high enough concentrations, the embryo dies in the egg.
- The egg cracks under the weight of the incubating bird.
- Embryos reach full term, hatch early and the membrane dries out too rapidly, causing the chick to dehydrate and/or get trapped.
DDE was recorded as present in the eggs of Australia peregrines as early as 1949, and was not present at all before 1945. DDT and dieldrin were banned in Australia in 1987 due to the threat to meat exports to the USA and Japan. Although no consideration was given to the conservation of the Peregrine Falcon in making this decision, it is nonetheless a positive step for the species. Once these chemicals were banned, several raptor and peregrine populations returned and recovered; some even to pre-organochlorin levels.
Unfortunately, some third world countries still use these chemicals as cheap insecticides. They continue to be produced in western countries, where its use is banned, for sale to these third world nations who cannot afford healthier alternatives.
In Australia, the decline of the Peregrine Falcon was not detected for a number of years, as it was masked by the longevity of the species and its inclination to occupy particular nest sites for long periods of time. The half-life of DDE in soil is between 12 and 57 years, so wildlife will continue to be exposed to this dangerous chemical for many years to come. In addition to this grave threat, Peregrine Falcons in Australia are vulnerable to land clearing, harassment by rock climbers, shooting and trapping by pigeon lovers and diseases being spread by feral bird species that the peregrine eats as prey items.
Australia Zoo aims to promote the plight of this species and educate people to avoid the historic collapse of populations outside of Australia.
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