• World leader in falcon studies will present a free lecture at Charles Sturt in Orange on Monday 30 September
• During the trip Dr Zubair Medammal will be briefed on Orange’s unique Falcon Cam Project

India’s only recipient of a doctorate in the study of falcons will soon land in Orange to examine the town’s rare peregrine falcons and present a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) on Monday 30 September.

Dr Zubair Medammal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Calicut in India, will present a free lecture sharing his insight on topics such as the majestic birds’ hunting, feeding, health, breeding and threats.

During his trip to Orange, staff members from Charles Sturt will brief Dr Medammal on the Falcon Cam Project which takes place at the University’s campus in Orange.

The project, which is run by volunteers, has placed fixed CCTV cameras and a roosting box at the top of the University’s water tower to study, monitor and record the breeding and natural behaviour of a peregrine falcon family that calls the University home.

Dr Cilla Kinross, who is an adjunct lecturer in Environmental Management at Charles Sturt and one of the volunteers for the Falcon Cam Project, said the University was looking forward to hosting Dr Medammal during his visit to Orange.

“Dr Medammal is a world leader in falcon studies and we are looking forward to the expertise he will share during his lecture,” she said

“The footage the Falcon Cam Project has captured over the past 11 years, which is now available online via livestream, is quite unique because falcons are notoriously difficult to observe because they live and fly at such great heights.

“We are therefore very excited to show Dr Medammal the project and listen to any feedback he has.”

Dr Medammal has been studying falcons for more than 20 years.

His research has taken him across the world to countries such as Sri Lanka, Germany, China, and the United Arab Emirates.

He obtained his doctorate from the University of Calicut and has since received many accolades for his work, including the Kerala Government’s Pravasi Award for outstanding research in foreign countries and India’s ‘JC international’ award for outstanding young personality.

The lecture is on Monday 30 September starting at 5.30pm at the Charles Sturt campus in Orange, building 1004, room 120. Visitors attending the lecture are asked to park in car park 1 or 3.

The lecture will begin with a short walking tour to observe the peregrine falcons living at the University’s water tower.

To register please contact Cilla Kinross via email at CKinross@csu.edu.au or via phone on 02 6365 7651.