DEAR Editor,-
As a conservationist and animal-lover, I’m having trouble understanding the motivation and justification for human intervention to facilitate the breeding and artificially increase the population of crowned eagles in Umtentweni. And I wonder if all the likely consequences of this nest-building programme have been holistically considered.
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Research indicates that this large bird is the most powerful raptor in Africa and is ranked as one of the 10 strongest land creatures. It is fearless towards humans, prone to treat humans aggressively and, although very rarely, is the only bird known to attack human children.
A record of the unexcelled strength of the bird’s talons is evidenced by the severity of wounds inflicted on a seven-year-old child weighing 20kg, and the holes gouged in the child’s throat and chest indicate its ferocity.
It is also known to attack larger creatures by ramming its powerful talons into the skull, penetrating the brain, then returning to rip parts from the victim’s 20 to 30kg of body mass that could not be carried whole. This is noted in order to indicate the birds’ strength, not to encourage alarmists to kill the birds.
The average kill rate of the bird is one victim every one and a half days.
Just a few of the many indigenous creatures killed are bushbuck, red, blue and forest duiker, hyrax, monkeys and other birds, including fish eagles whose nests have already been raided in Tweni.
Also on the list of victims are small pigs, medium-sized dogs, cats, lambs and goats, among many others too numerous to name. These latter animals are particularly vulnerable when the source of wildlife is being depleted.
As the natural forest habitat of our wildlife on the South Coast is much reduced in size, and the numbers of species able to continue to survive in it are also obviously much depleted, a real threat surely applies here.
I am asking if it is wise to facilitate the breeding of this raptor, which is not endangered and is represented by a good number on the coast. It is clear that many other species of wildlife in our remaining forests are under greater threat than this eagle, and that their fewer numbers will be unnaturally decimated by an artificial increase in the crowned eagle population.
The habit of the bird is that it generally sticks to a home area. After a successful kill, it tends to return and scrutinise the site for further prey.
I have found dead hyrax remains in my garden and one of these raptors has taken two pets in the space of two days.
I am very far from alone in having lost pets to these birds. The breeding of crocodile or leopard is not being encouraged in Tweni, obviously because of the risk to humans. But perhaps if we apply that criterion to the decimation of our dwindling wildlife in the dwindling forests that are the crown eagles’ natural hunting ground, the intention to assist an increase in numbers of such a powerful and aggressive raptor will be reconsidered. I trust that it goes without saying that I am not suggesting that these birds be killed off.
STEVEN VAN STADEN
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