Cannon awards environmental grant to benefit NZ Falcon

Canon New Zealand is helping the New Zealand falcon by awarding one of three Environmental Grants to PhD student Sara Kross from the University of Canterbury’s Biological Sciences department.

Sara’s PhD research project received $5,000 worth of specialised Canon equipment for observation work of animal behaviour, biological pest control and wildlife conservation.
Sara was thrilled to be awarded one of the grants which she will use in the Falcons for Grapes programme. “Canon has shown real commitment when it comes to assisting environmental conservation and the equipment is great, it will enable us to carry out more in depth study and provides us with a greater degree of data.”

The Falcons for Grapes programme relocates falcons (Karearea) from the wild to the Wairau Valley as a means of conserving the threatened species. The programme also aims to decrease wine grape losses to invasive pest bird species as the falcon is an effective native predator.

Sara explained the importance of the studies she is undertaking and that positive results may see the programme rolled out across New Zealand and international agriculture. “Not only is this of huge benefit to the falcon which is NZ’s only species remaining, but the implications on the wine industry can save millions of dollars per annum.”

The equipment selected by Sara includes a pair of 15 X 50 IS high powered binoculars with imaging stabilising technology and a HG10 digital video camera which will be used to identify prey bird species and observe the fast-moving behaviours of the falcons.

“The Canon equipment will really assist our direct observations and provide us with more data on falcon survival, dispersal and reproduction rates through nest camera recordings. These recordings will also capture which main prey species are fed to falcon chicks,” says Sara.

Sara was one of three recipients chosen from close to 40 other submissions put forward by individuals and organisations carrying out conservation work.

Tony Phibbs, national sales manager, Canon New Zealand presented Sara with her range of Canon products and discussed the synergy between Canon’s environmental philosophy and the project she is embarking on.

“Sara’s is a worthy recipient whose ongoing work will make substantial contributions to the conservation of New Zealand wildlife, we were looking for a research project that paralleled our own corporate philosophy Kyosei, Sara’s studies of the NZ falcon and its’ potential impact on the wine industry was not only innovative but an excellent example of this.” says Tony.

“When it comes to research Canon understands the importance of having quality equipment to monitor, record and document studies and we hope that the grant will help the project make a difference.”
In the spirit of kyosei – Canon’s corporate philosophy and a Japanese term that means living and working together for the common good - Canon stresses environmental protection both in its daily operations and through support activities.