Drought vs the black eagles
POORTVIEW – A new breeding cycle may be a blessing during these adverse times of drought.
Everyone should be painfully aware that South Africa is experiencing a drought which affects the ecosystem just as much, if not more, than the citizens of the country.
“We are currently experiencing a rejuvenating stage in the cycle of life. It is indeed very sad to see empty dams, rivers that have stopped flowing, and barren land,” said the Black Eagle Project’s Johann van den Berg.
“Whether we like it or not, there is a cleansing process in place where the weak are replaced with the strong. At the end of this process, we will be left with a strong gene pool to ensure the proliferation of healthy and strong birds and animals.”
Yet, how does this effect the black eagle pair?
According to Van den Berg, it is perhaps a blessing that Emoyeni chose this time to leave, and Makatsa is not yet ready to start a family, as raising an eaglet during this time would have been trying.
“It is our sincerest wishes that the new couple will have a very successful breeding season in the new year,” Van den Berg added.
Makatsa has been spotted in the new nest and was caught on camera by the project’s Ernest Porter.
Related articles: Black Eagle update: Makatsa chooses waterfall for new nest
