Project Track-'em: Lightning

The Foundation receives letters saying they will kill the falcon

NARCISO ACEVEDO
San Francisco de Macorís

The Canadian Peregrine Foundation expressed fear for the life of Lightning, the falcon without borders which from there (Canada) which journeyed thousands of kilometres before arriving in the Dominican Republic. 

The CPF President, Mark Nash, indicated today by Internet that he has received various e-mails from the Dominican Republic from individuals threatening to kill the bird in reprisal for the pigeons it hunted in San Francisco de Macoris.

Nash expressed his wish to communicate with electronic media, newspapers and the government to request that the falcon be protected.

Lightning was last seen at 6.00 pm last Monday. Meanwhile, in Canada the CPF expressed its fear that the bird will not return safe and sound to its place of origin. Mark Nash, talking to Pedro Genaro Rodriguez, who is the Dominican Republic’s contact for the CPF, clarified that there is no reward for capturing the bird alive. This comment is in relation to a rumour in an email sent to the CPF by Mr Franly Reynoso, who had heard of the existence of such a reward. (Nash) insists that the bird be left alone to get itself ready for its return to Canada, if all goes well.

About the fact that the bird has not been seen since last Monday, Nash explained that every four days there is an exact report on the bird’s location, based on the signal emitted from the thing on its back. He explained that the falcon has a battery of 460 hrs duration, which is activated every four days, so Friday morning its location will be known.

Last night the CPF sent a message of thanks to the Dominican people and to those who have helped protect Lightning.  “We wish to thank all those who have helped protect Lightning while he visited your great country, and we hope that the new friends we have made there continue helping our efforts, and welcome our feathered travellers. One day we would like to visit your country and thank everyone personally,” he affirmed. 

The CPF sent the following correction:
The attack velocity reached by the bird is up to 220 mph (and sometimes more), but not its horizontal (straightline?) cruising speed which reaches more or less 60 mph.

The second is the Internet address for following the falcon:
http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/programs/trackem/tracklight.html.

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