A group of young enthusiasts is revolutionizing bird control and conservation in Ca Mau through the training and rescue of raptors.
Taming the 'sky assassins'
On a breezy afternoon, Pham Minh Duc (born 1993, Ca Mau Province), head of the Ca Mau Province Raptor Club, and other members brought their eagles, sea hawks, and falcons out for training.
Duc first became interested in raptor training in 2017. Before that, he used to raise parrots. However, during training sessions, his parrots were often snatched by eagles and falcons.
Impressed by their speed, elite hunting skills, and majestic appearance, Duc began researching the practice and discovered that both in Vietnam and abroad, many people raise and train birds of prey.
Pham Minh Duc has been passionate about eagle training since 2017.
The more Duc learned, the more captivated he became. He eventually shifted from keeping parrots to raising and training eagles.
He explained: “There are usually two types of raptor training: training them to hunt and training them to fly freely and return to the handler upon command.
In previous years, a group of us who shared the same passion would gather to exchange experiences in taming and training eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey. We also participated in competitions dedicated to raptors.
In 2023, to create a healthy and constructive environment, the Ca Mau Province Ornamental Creatures Association decided to establish the Ca Mau Province Raptor Club, with me as its head.”
Most club members are young people.
Club members.
According to them, taming and training birds of prey requires significant time and patience.
If the bird adapts quickly, it may take only 2 to 5 months to understand and respond to its handler’s commands. Otherwise, training could last up to a year.
Still, success is not guaranteed. Up to 50-60% of birds fly away and never return during training.
For those birds that do not return or cannot be trained, members release them back into the wild instead of trapping or keeping them.
“We raise and train these birds with the mindset of 'letting fate decide.' If training succeeds, we allow them to fly freely instead of keeping them in cages.
If they grow attached to their handlers, they stay. But if they find a mate or encounter an environment more suitable elsewhere, and choose to leave, we accept that joyfully.
I often joke that this hobby is like 'throwing money into the sky.' For this reason, we don’t trade or raise rare or high-value raptors.
We focus on local and more common species such as the brahminy kite, osprey, white hawk, falcon, owl, and sea eagle. For imported species, all members have proper permits from authorities,” Duc added.
Guardians of the runway
After training, the raptors become friendly and comfortable around humans.
After forming the club, Duc and his members found a new purpose for their trained raptors: safeguarding the runway at Ca Mau Airport from wild birds.
According to Duc, the area around Ca Mau Airport is surrounded by fields and trees, attracting wild birds. During the flood season, large numbers of herons flock to the airport and runway.
These birds pose significant risks to aircraft during take-off and landing. Previously, airport management had to hire people to scare them away.
Now, the club supports the airport by deploying trained raptors to deter wild birds.
Just the presence of a few raptors circling above and calling out is enough to drive the wild birds away. This method has proven to be highly effective and is regularly practiced by the club.
Confirming this, Pham Thanh Lam, Director of Ca Mau Airport, said the airport has been working with the raptor club on a trial basis to use raptors to scare away wild birds from the runway.
Club members during a visit to Ca Mau Airport to help deter wild birds from the runway.
Initial results have been promising for smaller birds like sparrows and starlings. However, effectiveness against larger birds such as herons and bitterns remains limited.
“At present, this practice is still in the experimental stage. Ca Mau Airport will close from October 30, 2025, to October 31, 2026, for expansion and upgrades.
Once operations resume, if we find the raptor method effective and necessary, we will coordinate with the club to develop a detailed plan and seek approval from the Civil Aviation Authority,” Lam said.
Beyond this collaboration, Duc and his club are also committed to the conservation of rare birds of prey. Members not only train but also breed and reintroduce raptors into the wild.
They also rescue rare raptors that have been trapped or illegally sold.
Once rescued, the club works with local authorities to nurse the birds back to health. After recovery, they are released back into appropriate natural habitats in cooperation with environmental agencies.
Duc shared: “This hobby brings us not only joy but also meaningful purpose. It helps relieve stress and negativity in our lives.
Duc says the hobby not only fulfills his passion but also contributes to the protection and conservation of rare bird species. Photos provided by the character.
Currently, the club has many members who are only in 8th or 9th grade. For them, this hobby helps reduce school-related stress while fostering patience, love for animals, and appreciation for nature through bonding and training with their birds.”
Ta Hoang Nguyen, Chairman of the Ca Mau Province Ornamental Creatures Association, emphasized: “The raptor club was founded with multiple aims.
It provides a positive environment for enthusiasts and supports Ca Mau Airport in bird control operations.
More importantly, the club functions as a rescue and conservation group. When rare birds are found trapped, the club intervenes, cares for them, and works with authorities to determine the most suitable habitat for their reintroduction.
This initiative has already shown results. The club has successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and released numerous rare raptors back into nature.”
Vietnamnet.vn
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