Young self-proclaimed ornithologist a Black Eagle Project Roodekrans volunteer monitor for almost 20 years

The presence of one, two or more residents wearing bright-coloured shirts and manning a telescope or two have become commonplace at the waterfall in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden. For 30-year-old Candice Donovan, this has been one of her favourite places to be since she was 11 years old as a monitor for the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR).

Candice recalled how she found out about the BEPR, “My gran saw an advert in the newspaper that they wanted volunteers to join. She showed it to me and I thought it would be an awesome hobby so I phoned them up and asked if they would take an 11-year-old,” she explained, “the lady asked if I am responsible and when I replied yes, she allowed me to join.”

She added that she started monitoring after a bit of training with another monitor, but it wasn’t long before she was trusted to monitor alone.

Candice moved to the Joburg area when she was just seven years old.

“I attended St Ursula’s Primary School and then La Salla College and ended off at Hoërskool Bekker,” she stated, “I was always a very active person and when not doing school sports, especially swimming which was my favourite, I was dancing. I became a dance teacher after school then competed nationally and won my section in 2014.”

She continued, that the monitoring has been a huge part of her life growing up and also became a part of who she was.

“I met so many amazing people through it from many countries and it was fantastic when we found a mutual love and respect for nature. I’ve known two pairs of eagles throughout my life and it was an incredible journey learning about them and seeing the decisions they made and how they adapted to different situations,” she exclaimed, “a great memory I have is doing online presentations with Ernest Porter online to teach anyone who wanted to learn about the eagles. We also did a live presentation once which was awesome fun!”

When she’s not monitoring the resident black eagle pair, Candice enjoys playing guitar, hiking, walking her dogs and just staying active in general.

“Music is also a huge part of my life with old school rock being my favourite – the exceptional guitarists like Mark Knoffler and Ritchie Blackmore being my idols,” she chuckled.

Going back to her time with the BEPR, Candice exclaimed that the monitors in the group with her were a huge part of why she stayed.

“They have become lifelong friends despite the age differences and are always there for the eagles and each other. I also stayed because I believe education is an exceptionally important part of making people appreciate and protect nature. Every part of nature plays a role, be it the tiniest insect or the majestic eagle, and it’s very rewarding when you can open someone’s eye to realising how remarkable nature is,” she added.

As with many South Africans, Covid-19 played a big role in where Candice is today. During the pandemic she was retrenched from her dream job, training birds and presenting the bird show at Montecasino.

“I am a high school teacher and grade head now and was fortunate that the school hired me and helped pay for me to study and become qualified.”

Candice added that the retrenchment was rough, due to the close relationships with the birds that she lost, but that she believes everything happens for a reason and that now she has the opportunity to instil respect for nature into every learner that she teaches daily.

“Through this, I hope to ensure that they are aware of the balance in nature and how important it is to keep that balance and hopefully they will remember that and increase awareness in the future generations,” she remarked.

Chatting about the BEPR and what it entails, Candice explained that the BEPR is mainly there to raise awareness about the eagles and educate the public about them.

“We are a group of monitors who alternate being at the waterfall, setting up the telescope and recording their movements and behaviours whilst speaking to visitors about them. There is a roster made for a few months in advance for the weekends so everyone knows when they must be there and then there is a weekly Tuesday group of pensioners,” she elaborated.

She ended off by saying that one of the most important reasons why she stayed, and will stay a member of the BEPR, is because the other monitors’ dedication to the birds is an inspiration.

“I think we draw strength from each other at times but overall our love for the eagles is never-ending,” she concluded.

To find out more about the BEPR or to just keep up to date with what is happening with the resident eagles, visit their Facebook page Black Eagle Project Roodekrans.