Little eagle grows fast

Juve 25, the newest addition to the black eagle nest at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, turned 40 days old on July 23, and is growing at an astonishing rate.

What was just a little ball of fur just a week ago is now turning into a fierce little eagle.

According to Dougie Crewe, committee member of the Black Eagle Project of Roodekrans, their dedicated monitors are having a whale of a time closely watching and documenting the progress of the little eagle.

“We monitor the eagles closely,” he says. “Luckily, we’ve come to know these animals so well that we can tell a lot by simply observing their behaviour.

“This is how we knew the exact date on which the egg was laid, and when it was hatched, since we could not see into the nest.”

• Also read: Roodekrans black eagles: First photos of new chick emerge

The eagles have, in recent years, moved their nesting site to another location along the ridge. This has meant that it is more difficult for observers to see into the nest.

It has also meant that the AfriCAM streaming video camera no longer has a view of the eagles and the nest.

“The camera has since been moved to a different venue, since the new nest is in a location where one cannot get a camera installed.”

The little eagle is growing so fast that one can see changes daily, with little plumes of black already starting to sprout at its wings.

“Juve 25 is expected to fledge from about the second week of September. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping a close eye on it.”

Crewe has renewed his invitation for residents to visit the botanical garden.

“Our monitors are on duty at the garden every Tuesday, as well as on weekends.

“We are always eager to have a chat and tell people all about the eagles.”