Transcript
BOARD [Protecting species at risk Toronto, Ontario]
SUPER [Mark Nash, Director, Canadian Peregrine Foundation]
Mark Nash: Another historic day for some species at risk: Peregrine Falcons, that were produced here at the Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel on the South-West ledge, just under the “S”.
SUPER [Mark Heaton, Biologist, Ministry of Natural Resources]
Mark Heaton: Today we’re banding peregrine falcon chicks. We’ve got approximately 10 breeding pairs within the Greater Toronto Area. They’re about 28 days old, and we’ve got 4 of them.
UNKNOWN: US Fish and Wildlife band – it’s a serial number, just like on your car.
Mark Nash: The banding is important on a number of fronts: these silver and black aluminum bands, that are placed on these young birds legs, will ultimately protect these birds outside this country. Sends a very clear message that: this is a bird, a species from another country, in recovery. That bird shouldn’t be caught on migration in the fall or the spring to be re-released back to the wild.
SUPER [John Pisapio, Biologist, Ministry of Natural Resources]
John Pisapio: She stands her ground and is being a good Momma. Some of them are more aggressive than others, and actually make contact with you and hit you in the head. It can be stressful at times.
Mark Nash: Peregrine Falcons, they’re still experiencing some fairly difficult challenges. Past, present, and in the future.
SUPER [Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources]
Donna Cansfield: You know it’s the fastest animal on the face of the earth: it flies at 300 miles an hour. Today we announced $4 million towards our stewardship fund, that in fact will support species at risk initiatives right across the province. By reaching out to the children, they take it home to their parents, and then we all understand the need to protect this magnificent bird.
BOARD [ontario.ca/endangeredspecies]
