Even though the Canadian and American governments severely restricted the use of DDT in 1969 and 1972, analyses of unhatched eggs in the 70's and 80's still showed high DDE levels. Both the Peregrine and its prey migrate to Central and South America for the winter where various pesticides are used control agricultural and health pests. In 1979, the Canadian Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Latin American governments, universities, and private individuals, initiated research into pesticide use and their levels in Peregrine prey to identify areas of contamination. In 1972, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, with other wildlife agencies and non-government organizations, the Canadian Wildlife Service began an anatum Peregrine Falcon captive breeding program. Now in Wainwright, Alberta, at the breeding facility, after seven days natural incubation by captive falcons, eggs are incubated artificially until hatching.
Adults raise the young falcons until they are four weeks old.
The young are then shipped to other wildlife agencies across Canada for release. If nesting adults available, young of a similar age are added to the wild young or fostered. However, should no nesting pair be available, a hack or release box is constructed and located in a desirable release location. Young are placed into the hack box or hacked and released at six weeks of age, when they fly. Humans continue providing food until the young acquire the necessary hunting skills and migrate.