Source: The National                               Date: 31 August, 2011

Mongolia is perhaps one of the last safe havens for the saker falcon, a highly praised bird amongst bird traders. In Mongolia the bird population seems stable and trade is transparent, following the guidelines of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). Currently Mongolia has a quota of 300 birds allowed for trade each year.

Until last year, Cites listed the saker falcon (“falco cherrug”) as “endangered.” Currently the bird is categorized as “vulnerable,” allowing trade as long as it does not affect the specie's population. Cites considered banning the trade in Mongolia, but there was not enough statistical data to do so. Recent statistics from an agency based in Abu Dhabi in association with both Mongolian and U.K. wildlife group working in the bird's interests prompted Cites decision. Based on these reports, Cites recommended Mongolia continue its 300 bird per year quota.

The breeding program's first year results indicated that 174 saker falcon pairs had an average brood size of 3.1 fledglings in nests built over a 10,000-square kilometer area. It is estimated the program will produce and estimated 1,400 chicks from 400 saker pairs by 2015.

Sakers are popular among falconers from the Gulf and Syria who visit Mongolia for its summer and autumn trapping season.  The trappers prefer females because they say they are larger, better hunters and more aggressive. Younger specimens are generally thought to be better too. Trapping is done under the supervision of Mongolian authorities and with state issued permits.

Mongolia exported 3,141 sakers between 1997 and last year. Of those birds, 99 percent were sent to the Gulf and Syria. It is estimated that 3,900 sakers have been illegally exported.