It’s been confirmed: Mahlori and Makatsa, the famous pair of Verreaux’s Eagles of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden have officially welcomed a new chick into their nest.

According to Black Eagle Project Roodekrans committee member, Dougie Crewe, all indications point toward the long-awaited hatching having taken place on Friday, June 13.

“During our monitoring session on Friday, we saw behaviour consistent with the feeding of a chick,” he says, adding that limited visibility would not allow a definitive confirmation.

“During our observations on today, June 17, we concluded that the eagles’ behaviour can only mean that the chick has hatched.

“Unfortunately, we still can’t see into the nest and the nest site is not covered by the AfriCAM camera.”

Monitors will over the coming weeks, keep their eyes and lenses firmly trained on the nest to catch that much anticipated first glance at the newest addition to the family.