Wild Peregrine Falcon Persecution and Recovery

Peregrine falcons recovered from pesticide-driven near extinction but face ongoing illegal persecution - legal protection enforcement is crucial.

Key Facts

UK peregrine populations were reduced to around 360 pairs by the 1960s due to organochlorine pesticides
Recovery to over 1,700 pairs by 2014 is one of UK conservation's great success stories
Illegal persecution remains significant - peregrines are shot, poisoned, and their nests are destroyed on some grouse moors
Satellite-tagged peregrines show suspicious disappearances in areas of intensive grouse management
Peregrine egg theft for captive breeding and illegal falconry is documented
Every peregrine persecution incident is a criminal offence carrying up to 6 years imprisonment under the Wildlife and Countryside Act

Welfare Considerations

Peregrine persecution involves both direct welfare harm to individual birds killed or injured, and population-level impacts that slow recovery in persecuted landscapes. Vigorous enforcement, effective prosecution, and public pressure on landowners and shoots associated with persecution are the most direct welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Report suspected peregrine persecution to Raptor Persecution UK and the police
Support RSPB Investigations team working to document and prosecute wildlife crime
Advocate for vicarious liability to hold landowners responsible for wildlife crimes on their land
Participate in peregrine nest monitoring schemes that deter persecution through observation
Follow Raptor Persecution UK and share information about persecution incidents to raise public awareness