PROGRESS REPORT NO. 3 AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM <SANITIZED>

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06527542
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 15, 1974

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
3.3(h)(2)
12f2.2 3p-7zt
15 May 1974
PROGRESS REPORT No. 3
AVTAN TRAINING PROGRAM
(April-May 1974)
Program Director:
Dear Sir:
At long last our boat is fully repaired. One of '
engines has had a cracked head replaced with new valves
and other parts. The outdrive for the other engine has
been replaced and,in toto, the boat is operating to
its full potential.. (except for radar)
Needless to say, limited-function of the boat has
hampered our training schedule to some extent and we .
to
look forward/getting back to normal.
One of our birds recently generated a considerable
amount of excitement by making a 5 mile flight from
land to the boat. This exceeds by 1 mile the longest
prior distance flown over water.
We were happy to see the bird seemed to be in fine
shape when he arrived at the boat, seeming not in the
least tired-nor -exhau�ted.
During the flight there was a:great:deal of apprehension
on our part since the bird was out of visual contact
for most of the flight.-
Until we are able to get some kind of satisfactory
tracking beacon for the bird we are most anxious to
acquire a chase boat which, we believe, is available
in a short time.
We are aware we have played down the potential of
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
2.
AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
the raven and, in fact, we have been surprised by the
performance. of this bird. It is true that this particular'
bird is our show bird
3 or
pick
and has had Some
4 years of training. It is also true he was the
of the litter, so to speak, of some 50 birds.
We have already acquired several nestling ravens
this year and when they are ready they too will join
the program.
Starting from scratch our terciel falcon has
come on very strong and, in our opinion, will soon
be performing as well as the raven.
The small prairie falcon, as described earlier,
has also shown great promise. At the present we have
set him up, on full feed, hoping to get through the
molt as soon as possible.
The female falcon has been a slight problem up
this point. She flys well but seems to tire easily
and does not have the strength to complete long flights.
Her stamina has increased steadily but not dramatically.
She too has entered into a heavy molt and because of
this will be delayed in her further training.
Regardinq,the':flights over land,'the hawks are
doing a fine job, making flights of several miles at
any time the elements are at all favorable.
training
We are enclosing more daily/reports along with
some cost reports on medical care for the falcons
to
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
3.
AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM....
to demonstrate we left no stone unturned in our concern
for them.
Respectfully,
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
DAILY TRAINING SCHEDULE
Wed. May 1, 1974
Do Da
2&1/2 mile flight to boat. 16.1/2 mile flight from boat
to beach. Light N. wind. Response and strength good.
Dink
1 mile flight from boat to target. Strength fair,
response good.
Cockatoo
mile flight to boat. Gull pressure, driven into
the water. Strength questionable, response good.
Terciel
300 yards to boat. 4 flights. Response and strength
good.
Falcon 50 yards to boat. 3 flights. Response and strength
good
Hawk flights on land from 5 to 8 miles.
Thur. May 2
Do Da
3 mile flight to boat. 16.1/2 flight from boat to beach.
Light N.W. wind.
Dink
Down for the moult
Tercial
h mile to boat. 3 flights. Response and strength good.
Falcon
200 yards to boat. 3 flights. Response and strength
good.
Brandy (hawk)
5 mile flight to target/ Response and strength good.
Light N.W. wind.
Friday may 3
Do Da
3 mile flight to boat. Strength and response good.
Took boat out of water for early flight
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542
AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM.....
VETERINARIAN EXPENSES ON FALCONS
Aug.
26,
1973
Oct.
6, 1973
Oct.
18,
1973
Aug.
2,
1973
Dec.
15,
1973
Dec.
29,
Jan.
1,
1974
Jan.
16,
1974
March 9,
1974
April
6,
1974
April
8,
1974
$132.50
179.00
243.50
23.00
2200.
140.00
64.00
56.00
7.00
261.00
205.15
The above figures only in support of report on falcons.
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527542