Recovering the Aplomado Falcon within the U.S.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7:00 pm – Mars Ag Center – Room 201

With Brian Mutch, Director, Aplomado Recovery Program, The Peregrine Fund

Abstract:
The Northern Aplomado Falcon was extirpated throughout its’ US range by 1952. A changing habitat from grassland to invasive species and the loss of that same important habitat to agriculture is widely accepted as the cause of the falcon’s demise. In 1986 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed the species as endangered. The Peregrine Fund was asked if they might undertake a recovery effort, similar to that of the effort underway at the time to recover the endangered Peregrine Falcon. Captive propagation and reintroductions of Aplomado Falcons occurred from 1990 – 2013, and The Peregrine Fund was successful at re-establishing a population of Aplomado Falcons throughout their historical, Texas Gulf Coast range. However, many recovery challenges still exist before the species can be considered for delisting.

Biosketch:
Brian was born and grew up in Missoula, MT where he also completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Montana in biology. His passions were all wildlife- and wildland-oriented but the art of falconry and hunting with Peregrine Falcons and Gyrfalcons always stood out and continue today. Through falconry, Brian would eventually meet several board members and employees of The Peregrine Fund who encouraged his employment with them. Brian has worked for The Peregrine Fund for 35 years. Duties have included working on many of their species recovery efforts to include Peregrine Falcons, Harpy Eagles, Aplomado Falcons, Orange-breasted Falcons, and California Condors. He also assisted with several research projects in Central America, Mexico, and in northwest Greenland and currently serves as the Director of the Aplomado Recovery Program.