RAPTORS: A NEED FOR CONSERVATION

The population of large raptors like the Martial Eagle, the Bateleur, the Whitebacked Vulture and the Lappetfaced Vulture are declining rapidly. This is primarily due to habitat loss, as more areas adopt agro-pastoral farming and housing developments. Civil wars and armed conflict in Africa, lead to birds being chased from their breeding territory, and being trapped to be eaten by humans. In some parts of Africa, it is believed that there are medicinal benefits in consuming these birds, and the body parts are used in cultural practices. Nests are also raided for the eggs. The nesting sites are also subjected to disturbance by human activity by recreational use of wilderness areas, like the use of off-road vehicles and mountain biking.

Immature Bateleur

The Bateleur ( Terathopius ecaudatus ) is easily disturbed while nesting, and therefore, these nests should never be approached, as the adult birds are not likely to return. The Bateleur seldom flaps its wings when in flight, and glides with a side-to-side rocking motion as if balancing on a tightrope, hence the French name, "bateleur", meaning "acrobat". The Bateleur takes seven years to reach sexual maturity, and to have tawny wings, and the red markings on the face and red legs. Currently, the Bateleur is listed on the IUCN Red Data list as "near threatened".                                                                                                    

A sexually mature adult Bateleur

The Martial Eagle ( Polemaetus bellicosus ), is only found in the more southern regions of Africa. Like the Bateleur, it is also listed on the IUCN Red Data list as "near threatened", but could be re-classified as "vulnerable". This is the largest eagle found in Africa, and grows up to 83 centimetres in length, and has a wingspan of nearly three metres.

Martial Eagle

The White-backed Vulture ( Gyps africanus ) is listed as "endangered", as the global population is estimated at 270 000 individuals. Vultures are often poisoned when farmers put out poisoned carcasses, in an effort to destroy predators like jackal and caracal. The vultures feed on the carrion, and subsequently die from the poison. There is also the deliberate poisoning of vultures by poachers, due to the belief that circling and arriving vultures will disclose the location of poached animals.

A Tawny Eagle with two White-backed Vultures

Lappet-faced Vulture

The Lappet-faced Vulture ( Targos traceliotus ) is rare, and is considered to be endangered as the global population is estimated at only 5 700 mature individuals. Like the other raptors, their breeding grounds have been degraded by human civilisation, and they are subjected to poisonings and trade in body parts. The Lappet-faced Vulture takes six years to reach maturity, and only one egg is laid each breeding season. Most raptors are slow to reproduce, and together with factors liking drowning in sheer-walled water tanks, and electrocution on pylons, their numbers are in decline.
                                                                                   


Active conservation measures are needed if the raptors are to survive. For more information: www.birdlife.org