Boland Falconry Club

Please Note – This Code of Conduct is a minimum requirement of SAFA and provincial falconry clubs will have variations pertaining to their own Code of Conduct.

Preamble

Falconers have taken note of “Animal Welfare” issues.  The welfare and good husbandry of falconers’ birds is paramount to the practice of our art.  We believe that we are the experts in this area and deny the ability of others, not versed in our art, to determine what constitutes or does not constitute good husbandry of raptors.

By means of a system of Apprenticeship and Grading, maintained through self-policing, falconers have an established system of ensuring standards of good husbandry.  There are individuals, recognized internationally as experts in this field, such as Dr Nick Fox or Prof. Thomas Richter as well as organizations such as “The Peregrine Fund” who have established the standards that we follow and whose expertise can be sought if need arises.

Falconers are seriously concerned about the involvement of Animal Rights organizations in the process of establishing objective standards in animal welfare and watch, with concern, the increasing influence these organizations have within statutory animal welfare bodies through financial and other involvement. We have serious concern that this is to the detriment of human freedom of expression; that it will act to polarize our society without respect for its diversity and, most importantly, will be to the detriment of conservation of Nature and its biodiversity.

A genuine interest in raptors and their conservation is a prerequisite to being a falconer. Falconers support the principle of conservation in Nature through sustainable use of both raptors and prey species.  Provincial Falconry Clubs assist conservation authorities wherever possible to this end. Breaches of discipline are severely dealt with and could result in the confiscation of birds, expulsion from Provincial Falconry Clubs as well as legal action by the relevant authorities.

Falconers subscribe to the IUCN’s principle of “sustainable utilization”.  Falconers recognise that raptor populations are being increasingly threatened by habitat destruction, pesticides and human persecution. The harvesting of wild raptors for falconry is considered a privilege and is only allowed under carefully controlled conditions approved by provincial conservation authorities. Provincial conservation authorities, accept that falconry is a legitimate sport and a widely accepted method of hunting, permit this harvest while ensuring that wild raptor populations are not negatively impacted.

1. General

Falconers will observe the laws and customs of the Republic of South Africa and foreign countries with regard to the taking of, import and export of hawks, the taking of quarry and the right of access of land. In South Africa it is necessary to obtain a permit from the provincial nature conservation department before capturing or keeping any bird and before any bird can be imported or exported, either temporary or permanently. All permit conditions must be adhered to.

Falconers will adhere to the well being of the birds in their care, as the animals are reliant on the falconer for all their basic needs. The “principle of five freedoms” should be strictly enforced in the falconer’s husbandry:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst – ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour,

• Freedom from discomfort – providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area,

• Freedom from pain, injury or disease – by prevention, rapid diagnosis and treatment,

• Freedom to express normal behaviour – hunting,

• Freedom from fear and distress – ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

2. Legislation with respect to Falconry

• National legislation.

• • The National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) – NEMA.

• • Threatened or Protected Species regulations (TOPS) issued in terms of the provisions of NEMA.

• • CITES

• • The Performing Animals Act 24 of 1935. The license and certificate are valid for one year and stipulate the specific animals to be used. An application must be submitted to the local magistrate annually – application forms are available from Magistrate Courts.

• • The Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. The object of this act is to prevent cruelty to animals in captivity or under the control of any person. The act prohibits maltreatment of animals, including neglect, unnecessary confinement, starving or underfeeding of animals. Any such action constitutes a criminal offence.

The Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 is section 2(1)(g) states “… provokes any animal or incites any animal to attack another animal”. This section was incorporated into the Act to outlaw Dog and Cock fighting. Falconers do not act in (opposition) to this law.  Raptors have a natural propensity to pursue quarry. They do not need to be “provoked” or “incited” to follow their natural inclination to hunt.  Indeed, it is only because of this natural propensity that Falconry is possible.

• Provincial Legislation.

• • Each province has its own Nature Conservation Ordinance that amongst others covers the keeping of “wild animals”.

• • Falconry will be administered within a Province in accordance to   Provincial Notices and Policies.  Provincial Policies should be developed in consultation with Falconers.

• Municipal By-laws.

Compliance with municipal by-laws maybe required as well as a letter of “No Objection” might have to be sought from the relevant municipality.