It’s confirmed: Makatsa and Mahlori, the world-famous pair of Verreaux’s Eagles who have been nesting at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens for years, has an egg on the nest.

According to Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR) committee member, Dougie Crewe, it has finally been confirmed during the BEPR monitoring session on Sunday (April 26), that the first egg of 2026 has been laid.

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“As is typical when there is an egg, we saw Makatsa and Mahlori changing shifts to keep the egg warm.

“A little later, Mahlori brought in some prey for Makatsa and laid it out on a rock close to the nest for her.

“Makatsa flew off the nest, took the prey to a tree where she enjoyed it, while Mahlori once again took up his post on the nest.”

Crewe adds that black eagles typically lay two eggs a few days apart.

“The second egg is expected during the week.”

Only one of the two fledgelings, usually the elder one, typically survive into adulthood.

“We are very excited for this year’s fledging,” says Crewe. “Our monitors are already preparing their cameras and lenses to see who can get the first picture of the 2026 juvenile.”