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Falcons being reintroduced to BH area |
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Tuesday, 19 June 2012 15:30 |
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They're birds of prey that once called the Black Hills home but have recently become endangered through habitat destruction and the use of the pesticide DDT. Now the Peregrine Falcon is being reintroduced into the Rapid City area. Black Hills FOX reporter Darren Leeds has the story.
Raptor Biologist Janie Fink says, "This is the second year of a restoration effort to bring back to the Black Hills the endangered Peregrine Falcon. Once nearly extinct, today still recovering from low population levels." Black Hills Power has partnered with Birds of Prey Northwest and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department to make reintroduction efforts possible. These birds have been flown in from all over the country and for now they'll call the Black Hills Corporation building in downtown Rapid City their new home. Mutch Usera says, "I think the height of the building made a big play as far as us getting involved. We had also done this project in the past with the Assurant building in downtown. So this is actually the second time we've actually partnered with this group, so we're really excited about it and hopefully the outcome is going to be very positive." The 35-day old falcons will reside on top of Black Hills Corporation's building in special boxes before they take their first flight. Raptor Biologist Janie Fink says sometimes the birds are a bit hesitant when using their wings for the first time. Fink says, "Once we drop the release door the birds are very cautious. They'll sit for hours, some of the larger females for days before they take their first flight. Then they develop very quickly, tail chasing one another, first grabbing bugs out of the air and then their first little bird in about 6 weeks." Downtown Rapid City was selected for stage 1 and stage 2 of the Peregrine Falcon reintroduction efforts but Fink says a new city will be selected for the 3rd and final stage. Fink says, "The 3rd and final stage will most likely be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We don't want to reintroduce baby birds when there may be potential nesting adults here in Rapid City." Though the Peregrine Falcon was close to extinction wildlife officials are hoping the reintroduction of the species here in Rapid City will help population numbers soar. Darren Leeds, Black Hills FOX News. |
