WATCH: Makatsa and Thulane begin Ithemba’s preparations for life after the nest
While training usually only begins in mid-to-late November, Makatsa and Thulane took Ithemba on his first lesson early in the month.
The annual training of the juvenile eagle as preparation for life after the nest has begun a little early this year, with Makatsa and Thulane getting Ithemba ready.
Just shy of two months after Ithemba fledged the nest in September, its preparation for leaving the nest in late December has come a little earlier than usual, according to the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans’ Johann van den Berg. “Training normally begins in mid-to-late November, so it began way too early this year,” he said.
Training of the juvenile eagle usually involves a mock ‘attack’ on the juvenile, to prepare it for the dangers it could come across once it leaves the nest, and ultimately the breeding grounds around the nest, in late December. While the beginning of training this early is usually a concerning sign for those who keep an eye on the eagles, Johann was able to confirm that no aggression was evident afterwards.
“I went to check on the eagles the day after the training, and everything was back to normal with them,” he said. “There were no signs of aggression from any of them, which is great to see.”
Johann also confirmed that Ithemba’s development thus far, has gone according to plan, and everything is looking great with the eagles. Ithemba is expected to finally leave the nest in late December, before slowly being driven out of the breeding grounds by Makatsa and Thulane.
You can have a look at some of the training Ithemba underwent here:
https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject/videos/1980264048715851/
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