Gyrfalcons to Germany: Herdemerten's expedition to west Greenland, 1938

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the summer of 1938 the Hermann-Göring-Stiftung [Hermann Göring Foundation], located at the Reichsjägerhof Riddagshausen near Braunschweig, dispatched a two man expedition to west Greenland, primarily in order to capture gyrfalcons. Although nowhere stated in the expedition account, the aim appears to have been to acclimatise the birds to a German environment for the purpose of falconry. Five birds were captured and transported to Germany, four juveniles from a nest near Godhavn and an adult bird from near Uummannaq. After a brief sojourn at Riddagshausen the birds were transferred to Goldhöhe (Zlaté návr_í) in the Riesengebirge (Krkono_e) as being a more appropriate environment. The results of the experiment and the fate of the birds are not stated in the expedition account. Secondary aims of the expedition were geological, meteorological and botanical investigations and bird banding.