Fred,

Not to be argumentative :>) !!! Actually I don't know how much is being
spent on the effort, I know its not a significant amount of money on our
side(this is a managed care facility). The Falcon Research Group has the
lead in this effort and we're trying to support it. I know the FRG time is
all volunteer. Ernie Rose has donated a lot of his own time to the project
and we support him. We do have the animal health facilites and some
expertise. We hope to keep Stuwart and Belle represented in the gene pool.

We also learn a lot about the animals. The public learns a lot about the
animals and maybe is a little more sensitive to the habitat loss and
pesticide issues. Heaven knows we need as much environmental literacy as we
can get in the general population during these trying political times.

In addition, this isn't a natural situation, its managed from start to
finish. We've in a sense invited the Peregrines to the urban highrise area
with the nest boxes. There will be a period of adjustment. We have some
responsibility to see the experiment through.

And you're right Fred, the PR ain't bad, but its mostly in the cause of
environmental education and conservation, our main mission.

Mike Waller
WP Zoo