Threats to the eagles?
by Sally Panos
It is certain that the individuals who check the website regularly and better still those who have the opportunity of watching the "live from the nest" TV monitor at the entrance of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, marvel at the growth and behaviour of the chick, as well as the tender, loving care portrayed by Emoyeni.
She leaves the nest for a few minutes at a time, just to spread her wings and allows the proud father a few seconds to glance at his offspring. This chick is fortunate that the first egg did not hatch, otherwise it would not have had a chance to survive. May it thrive and look forward to a secure future.
Against all odds, the male is hunting proficiently and bringing in sufficient prey during this critical time.
We can only hope and pray that no further developments are allowed to devastate the eagles' habitat. Every visitor to the Garden expresses concern regarding the existing number of houses, complexes, shopping centres etc in the area and wonders why it was all sanctioned in the first place. Now it is enough, some places are sacred, eagles and people need space, undisturbed vegetation, natural beauty and from the eagles' point of view - hunting territory! The proposed water reservoir, 700 metres from the nest would be a disaster, as well as any further buildings, there are other places to destroy, but not in this precious environment.
The Black Eagles of Roodekrans
by Libby Woodcock
The urban sprawl is moving at a rapid pace and yet the Black Eagles of Roodekrans seem to carry on unaware to the demolition of their precious habitat. They still soar the skies over the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden and they still thrill many visitors that are lucky enough to get a glimpse of them.
Once again this year they re-furbished their two nest sites on the cliffs of the Witpoortjie Falls and on the 19th and 22sd April 2005 the female laid her eggs with the usual 4 day laying interval in between. The pair settled in to the 45-day incubation period with the female doing approximately 65% of it herself. The males job was to go on long hunting sorties to find the prey to sustain themselves and a excellent job he has done, there seems to be a large availability of guinea fowl this year and his success rate has proved that.
Hatching was due early June and sure enough on the 3rd June 2005 the first chick arrived, how proud the adult pair were. There is something so special to watch the tenderness expressed by these magnificent creatures towards their newly hatched young. The way minuscule pieces of meat are torn from the carcass and offered to this tiny creature, the way she snuggles down to keep the chick warm beneath her breast. Nature is a wonderful thing. With all that is going on within the boundaries of their hunting territory nature still prevails. Unfortunately, the second egg did not hatch and for some maybe it was a blessing, as the poor thing would have had to attest to Cain's aggression within a day of hatching.
The young chick is three weeks old now and growing fast, the pressure is on for the male to provide enough food to feed his young family. He flies great distances everyday to make sure he can deliver the vital sustenance of growth prey. With a little help from the Black Eagle Project it will again be a successful year for these tolerant raptors.
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