Who we are 

Güira Óga from the Guarani language means "House of  Birds", is a falconry and conservation organization founded in 1994 by two well known Argentine falconers Jorge Anfuso and Silvia Elsegood.

 

Jorge and Silvia are from the province of Buenos Aires, they came to the province of Misiones in 1989 with a contract to work in bird control using methods of falconry at the airport of the city of Iguazu.

 

Finished the contract they decided to stay in Misones and with the support of local falconers and the provincial government was created Güira Óga, with the objective to create conservation projects for recovery, breeding and reintroduction of raptors in the province using falconry techniques for that purpose.

 

With the passing of time, the primary objective was expanded not only to raptors but to all endangered species in the province. Today is one of the most respected organizations in the country in their area and a national reference regarding recovery, reintroduction and breeding of raptors in Argentina.

 

Another important task performed by the organization is the internship program, which receives people interested in falconry, training them how to handle different species of birds of prey as they help in maintaining the center. Many falconers of Brazil and Argentina were trained here.

 

The Brazilian Association for Falconers and Preservation of Birds of Prey, ABFPAR, is a nation-wide nonprofit scientific society, which acts in supporting and implementing initiatives focused on the study and conservation of Neotropical birds of prey.  Currently ABFPAR has 90 members and is a full voting member of the IAF.

 

The ABFPAR - Brazilian Association for Falconers and Conservation of Birds of Prey was founded by Jorge Sales Lisboa, Guilherme Fernandes Queiroz and Leo Tatsuji Fukui on October 19, 1997. The ABFPAR was the first institution in Brazil to obtain authorization to practice falconry to rehabilitate birds of prey and this commitment continues to the present day.

 

The ABFPAR, since its foundation, has developed initiatives for conservation of birds of prey. For example, The ABFPAR recently served as Project Coordinator at Hawk Real Atlantic Forest, where two rehabilitated harpy eagles attempted to reproduce in nature in forming a nest.

 

Our roots have always been with falconers and the ABFPAR were the first in Brazil to breed raptors in captivity so that these birds reach people's hands so they could start in falconry.

 

The Ministery of Ecology, Renewable Resources  of the Province of Missiones, Directorate of Biodiversity is the entity that regulates all activities related to wildlife, flora, hunting and fishing and tourism in the province.

 

The M.E.R.N.R. , through an initiative of the Directorate of Biodiversity, will issue a resolution declaring the IAF meeting of cultural interest for the Province.