Members of the University of the Third Age (U3A) paid a visit to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (WSNBG) on Thursday, November 20, where they spent some quality time with the Black Eagle Project of Roodekrans (BEPR) learning about the iconic black eagles that call the Witpoortjie Falls home.

According to BEPR committee member Dougie Crewe, the U3A is an international organisation for retired and semi-retired people who are still excited about learning and sharing knowledge, and remaining active.

“One of our members, Marthie Coetzer, is also an event organiser for U3A West Rand, and we were very excited that she was able to bring the U3A around for a visit,” he says.

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About 50 U3A members gathered and spent the morning wandering through the garden, looking at the eagles through telescopes, and enjoying talks by top local experts.

Senior horticulturalist for the WSNBG, Andrew Hankey, presented a talk on the gardens and the biodiversity to be found there, while local conservation guru Tony de Castro educated them on the rare Walter Sisulu Orchid, and the various conservation efforts to keep the ridges safe.

Dougie Crewe enthralled the attendees with the history of black eagles in WSNBG and the work of the BEPR.

“The U3A members also got to see a range of video clips taken in the botanical garden, which depict the wide range of wildlife, as well as what the animals get up to at night.”