Free Kori Bustard (updated 6 19 2007)
Kori Bustard (updated 8/18/2005)
Kori Bustard June 2007
The Free Kori Feathers Program is now in its third year and in my opinion has been successful on many fronts. I have given away (under the old pricing) many thousands of dollars worth of large winging feathers as well as lots and lots of miscellaneous (but useful) body and neck feathers. There have been several beautiful fly display shadow boxes donated to the zoos that send us feathers but more are needed. I have lots of flies that have been donated but still need to mount them for display, any assistance with that would be greatly appreciated. Cash donations to the Kori Bustard SSP were really what got it off the ground in the first place; otherwise we might have gone unnoticed. Raising funds was not a factor for the Kori SSP folks but as I mentioned it did get their attention and opened a line of communication which in turn has allowed the program to occur. The whole reason for giving the feathers away in the first place was to reduce or remove the profit thereby removing any pressure on wild populations for their plumage. They view it as a conservation project not as a fund raiser. It’s not that they don’t need or can’t use any money, they just didn’t want to create a Quid Pro Quo (money demanded for a favor granted) situation. I have encouraged every feather recipient to send a donation in any amount, send a fly containing Kori or at least send some feedback to them via email to KoriSSP @FeathersMc.com. Several recipients have sent checks, many have sent flies but unfortunately more than half have failed to do any of the above. I guess you could say I am amazed at the number of people that contact me saying how they tie Classic Salmon flies in 6/0 and larger and need pairs of the largest feathers to accommodate their needs and when I send them some I never hear from them again. I do know that all too often people have good intentions but simply forget. I want to gently remind you if that is the case.
My good friend Bud Guidry is working on raising donations for the program via the Fly Tying Forum and I appreciate that. I also appreciate the immediate response I have received from some of you. Thank you. Bud became concerned when he realized his supply of Kori was dwindling and I don’t have any big feathers on hand to send him. In Bud’s post he referred to where some of the money we’ve donated has gone (purchased software for a telemetry study) but it doesn’t end there. We have also helped fund a DNA study that explores mating behavior and genetics in an attempt to improve the difficulties in their captive breeding programs. I can supply additional information if you wish but suffice it to say we are not just sending a little mad money to a wasted cause. Again I don’t want to create a Quid Quo Pro situation but I do think if we continue to show support for them we will always be fresh on their minds when it comes to saving feathers. Just remember how easy it is to forget or put something off. If they aren’t getting feedback from anyone but me they may think most of us don’t really care. Except for those who were selling the feathers for profit, I do feel this is a program that is worth preserving as it appears everybody wins including the post office. I am quite sure the program is not in jeopardy, but if it is, I can think of no other reason other than benign neglect on our part. If you would like to help, please contact me at John @FeathersMc.com or Bud at cod @mobiletel.comThank You.