Ridgway's Hawk, and other raptors on Hispaniola, face many anthropogenic threats including electrocution on power lines and human persecution. These threats, in part, likely caused the decline of the Ridgway's Hawk over the past several decades. In fact, human persecution, mainly because hawks sometimes prey on domestic fowl, is recognized as one of the greatest obstacles to this species' recovery. While environmental education is an key factor in helping to mitigate this threat, it is also vital to assist the human population in protecting their domestic fowl, which serve as important food and economic resources. Resolving this issue is part of our mission to create a world in which humans, raptors, and all living things thrive together. 

Team members Building chicken coops in Dominican Republic

Julio Gañan

Humans persecute hawks because they may prey on domestic fowl

Our Solutions: Predator Protection

Though not a regular occurrence, Ridgway's Hawks will sometimes prey on young, domestic fowl. In general, chickens are an important part of people's livelihood providing food and economic resources. In order to help protect people's chickens, our team spends time in the low season constructing basic coops. 

A community member receives a chicken coop

Our Solutions: Coop Commitment

When a household experiences the loss of young domestic fowl, our team provides them with a chicken coop free of charge. Upon receipt of the cage, the recipients must sign a paper promising to protect Ridgway's Hawks and other raptors and to keep only chickens, and no wild animals, in these coops. 

A technician retrofitting power lines

Our Solutions: Electrocution Mitigation

Distribution lines in the Dominican Republic often kill a number of different bird species including vultures, falcons, anis, herons, and Ridgway's Hawks. These electrocutions also cause power outages and damage to utility infrastructure, so it is in the best interest of everyone to resolve this problem. We have worked with the power company owned by the Puntacana Resort and Club in order to retrofit power poles in the area. They have now retrofitted many lines around Ridgway's Hawk habitat in the area.

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