Anatum Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus anatum

The Anatum peregrine falcon has disappeared from most of eastern Canada, southern Alberta, Manitoba, and the interior of British Columbia. Declines in peregrine populations are tied to the widespread use of organochlorine compounds, particularly the pesticide DDT. Levels of organochlorine contamination have declined substantially since restrictions were put in place nearly 30 years ago. Recovery efforts, such as captive breeding in the 1990s, were very effective, as the annual release of young falcons from captive breeding facilities is largely responsible for the increased peregrine populations which are now established in every geographic region of Canada that historically had them.