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Raptors and human health

Raptors and human health

The connection between raptors and human well-being

Danielle du Toit & Dr Lindy Thompson, the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme

In celebration of World Health Day on 7 April, we acknowledged the important role raptors (predatory birds that hunt other animals or feed on carrion) play in supporting humans and our well-being.

  1. Ecosystem Services

When feeding, vultures clean carcasses and reduce the spread of diseases such as anthrax and botulism. After the Asian Vulture Crisis in the late 1990s, widespread accidental poisoning caused vulture populations in India to plummet by over 90%. The loss of vultures left more food available for other scavengers, such as feral dogs, which increased in numbers, and in turn, so too did cases of rabies. Economists estimated the healthcare costs to the Indian government at US$296 million over 13 years. This study is one of a handful that tried to put a monetary value on the ecosystem services that vultures provide and the importance of their role in maintaining environmental health.

Owls and eagles provide free pest control services by hunting rodents and other species that can negatively impact human health. Barn Owls with chicks in the nest have been reported to catch up to 30 rodents in one night. Many farmers have acknowledged the importance of Verreaux’s Eagles because these birds effectively control Rock Hyrax populations, which, unchecked, could result in significant losses in crop yields.

Results of blood tests from raptors can also be used to indicate the health of an ecosystem. Recent studies in South Africa by Dr Linda van den Heever and colleagues highlighted the problem of lead poisoning in vultures and how high levels of lead in vultures’ blood most likely result from fragments of lead bullets in the carcasses the birds are eating. These microscopic lead fragments can also be found in venison eaten by people (if those carcasses were shot using lead bullets), so both vultures and people, among others, are susceptible to the same preventable health issue of lead poisoning from lead ammunition. Lead poisoning, such as that consumed from similar sources, resulted in nearly a million lives being lost in 2019 and is the cause of 30% of global intellectual disabilities in humans.

  1. Cultural Importance

For hundreds, if not thousands of years, raptors have been symbolic in different cultures worldwide. For example, the ancient Egyptian god Horus had the body of a man and the head of a falcon; the Romans believed that eagles represented power and strength, and humans in neolithic times used feathers and bones for ornamental, ceremonial, and functional purposes. Falconry, a hunting method using birds of prey, has been around for about 5,000 years, first known to have been practised by Mongolians. In South Africa, vulture body parts are used in traditional medicine.

Landowners in the Karoo region of South Africa approached the Endangered Wildlife Trust to assist in bringing Cape Vultures back to the area where they have been regionally extinct since the mid-1980s. Many of these farmers sink into nostalgia when remembering their childhoods filled with memories of being in the veld with vultures soaring above them. In the ‘Farmers for Vultures’ video,  farmers spoke of spying on vulture nests, and others recalled how they would lie dead still in the middle of the veld in hopes that vultures would circle them. These stories show that these birds’ very existence is essential in the cultures of many people and for their well-being. Not only do these farmers love reminiscing about their younger days, but they live in the hope that one day, vultures will soar across the Karoo skies once again.

Raptors are also crucial to the tourism sector. The Kruger National Park offers tourists the opportunity to see vultures and their feeding behaviour up close. Golden Gate National Park hosts one of the few Bearded Vulture populations and feeding sites, and Cape Vulture colonies across the country have been tourist destinations for decades.

  1. Raptor conservation is directly beneficial to human well-being

We know that losing vultures across a landscape can cause significant negative impacts on the physical health of humans. By adjusting our practices and using lead-free ammunition, we will reduce the threat of lead poisoning in raptors and potentially similar threats to humans. By practising responsible carcass management to limit the contamination of the environment by chemicals or veterinary medicines, we are providing safe spaces for vultures to perform their ecosystem services. By moving away from using rodenticides and allowing owls and eagles to do natural pest control, we reduce the chances of being affected by the same poisons.

Conservation of species is not only based on their importance to the health of an ecosystem or the services they provide but is often rooted in ensuring physical, mental, and emotional aspects of human well-being. By tackling threats to raptors and investing resources and time into caring for the health of these species and other wildlife, we protect our fellow species and invariably make the environment safer and healthier for people.

References

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Earthly Eating: Butternut Soup

Earthly Eating: Butternut Soup

EARTHLY EATING: Butternut Soup

Earthly Eating: Butternut Soup: Each month, we bring you delicious, nutritious, and eco-friendly recipes that our staff members love! This month’s recipe is courtesy of Tamsyn Galloway-Griesel, our Senior research field officer for our EWT Wildlife and Energy Programme.

Preparation time: 45-60 minutesEarthly Eating: Butternut Soup

Ingredients

  • 45 ml butter
  • 2 onions (chopped)
  • 500ml butternut
  • 45ml cake four
  • 5-10 ml curry powder
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 750 ml chicken stock
  • 375 ml milk
  • 1 granny smith apple
  • rind and juice of 1 orange (optional)
  • parsley chopped (optional)
  • dollops of cream (optional)

Preparation:

  • Sauté onion in butter
  • Add butternut and sauté to absorb the butter ± 3 minutes
  • Mix in the flour, curry powder & nutmeg
  • Add the chicken stock, milk, apple, orange rind, and juice
  • Simmer for 15-20 minutes
  • Liquidise
  • Season to taste
  • Serve topped with a dollop of cream and a sprinkle of parsley
A word from the CEO April 2023

A word from the CEO April 2023

Word from the CEO

Yolan Friedmann

 

One of the trees most commonly associated with all things Africa is the Marula Tree, Sclerocarya birrea, a deciduous fruit-bearing tree found throughout Africa and Madagascar in various woodlands habitat types. Whilst many people associate the Marula tree with alcoholic beverages and the ‘crazy’ behaviour of monkeys and elephants after consuming large volumes of the fermented fruits in summer, their true value to the widest variety of many species is perhaps less known.

Not only does this single-stemmed, ~18m high tree provide critical shade in the blazing African sun, but every single part of the Marula tree has value and is prized by humans and animals alike. The fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, around eight times higher than an orange. Boiled marula fruit skin makes a refreshing drink, while burnt skins make a coffee substitute. Marula wood is soft and used for carving and rope, and brown dye can be made from the bark. The bark contains antihistamines and can also treat dysentery, diarrhoea, rheumatism, insect bites, and other ailments. It is also used as a preventative to malaria., while the green leaves of the marula tree are eaten to alleviate heartburn.

Caterpillars and wood-boring beetles are removed from the marula tree and roasted for consumption, and the oil is used as a skin cosmetic. Essence from the leaves is said to remedy abscesses, spider bites and burns. The tree’s large, shady respite from the Afrinca sun often serves as a village meeting place. Over centuries, dozens of wildlife species have also benefitted from this much-needed shade and derived important nutrition from the tree’s leaves, fruit, and bark. This life-giving tree is often associated with species such as elephants, rhino, baboons and monkeys, many birds, warthog, giraffe and ostriches. Over centuries, humans and wildlife have benefitted from and enjoyed the spoils of this life-giving force of nature.

A commonly asked question is, if you were a tree, what tree would you be? Would most people quickly reply with the Marula as their answer? Despite all these attributes, maybe not. Perhaps not everyone wants to be all things to all species and communities of life. However, I will bet that if the EWT staff were asked that question, the reply would be a resounding “The Marula Tree” for that very reason! For over 50 years, the EWT has been the Tree of Life for countless species, ecosystems, and communities across the African landscape. This we have done by providing refuge for species at perpetual risk of conflict with humans and nourishment for people through sustainable livelihood development with our community partners and securing safe space for wildlife populations to expand and prosper. The EWT has left its indelible footprint across  Africa’s savannahs, woodlands, wetlands, catchments, grasslands, mountains, and oceans, has benefitted communities of people, mammals, plants, birds, reptiles, insects, and amphibians, and is as much associated with all things Africa as our beloved Marula tree.

Like a tree – our power lies in our ability to convene, support, and assemble- bringing together our team’s brightest minds and most passionate hearts – and those of our partners and associates. As we forge a pathway to achieve even more over the next 50 years, it is through these people that we draw our inspiration. Inspiration for the next 50 as the race against extinction and to stem the impacts of climate change and ecosystem destruction ramp up.

To help us celebrate 50 Years of Conservation in Action, send us your thoughts on #50YearsOfEWT to help us create the next 50. Like the Marula, the EWT is here to serve our environment and has thousands more sunsets to share and sunrises to welcome. Help us craft #TheNext50 together.

Drop us a line at ewt@ewt.org.za or visit www.ewt.org.za, where you can share your vision for our planet 2073 and what the EWT will have achieved by then.

Happy Birthday, EWT.

Yolan Friedmann

A decade of frogging keeps us leaping for joy

A decade of frogging keeps us leaping for joy

A decade of frogging keeps us leaping for joy

Jeanne Tarrant, EWT Threatened Amphibian Programme Manager

In 2012, volunteer and Public Relations expert Carmen Curtayne and I wanted to do something to highlight both the importance of amphibians in South Africa and the severe threats they face. After much brainstorming, we devised the ‘Leap Day for Frogs’ campaign.

The idea was to create an annual national awareness day on 28 February – tying together the themes of Leap Year, leaping frogs, and taking a leap of faith (doing something demonstrable for frog conservation). We wanted to bring much-needed attention to frogs and their extinction threat. We also wanted to have fun in the name of frogs, encourage the public to get involved in science (citizen science), and celebrate South Africa’s incredible variety of frog species. With almost half of the world’s amphibian species experiencing some level of decline, bringing as much attention to frogs as possible has never been more important. South Africa is home to over 130 species – from the Giant Bullfrog (the size of a dinner plate!) to the Micro Frog (the size of your thumbnail), and all shapes and sizes in between. This enormous diversity is mirrored in the wide range of landscapes that frogs inhabit – from coastal wetlands to montane grasslands, gardens, forests, and even deserts.

Frogs are not just long-limbed, leapers. These water-loving amphibians play important roles in our ecosystems by feeding a wide array of other animals and eating vast quantities of insects – i.e. incredible free pest control! They are also important bio-indicators due to their sensitive skins and bi-phasic lifestyles. In other words, if they are around, our environment is healthy. These barometers of life are now the most threatened group of species on Earth, surely a sign of a planet in trouble.

To bring awareness to these very important and beautiful yet threatened creatures, we have devised annual themes over the past ten years for Leap Day for Frogs. 

Graphic showing ten years celebrating Leap Day for Frogs

Ten years celebrating Leap Day for Frogs

We celebrated the 10th Leap Day for Frogs this year, which coincides with EWT’s 50th anniversary. As part of the latter, EWT will share a fun frog fact each Friday throughout the year.

Our theme this February was #CelebrateFrogs, and we reached over 3,000 people directly through over 15 events and outings, with over 165,000 people engaged through the social media campaign. Once again, we partnered with Kloof Conservancy and Iphithi Nature Reserve in Gillitts KZN, where over 150 people participated in various fun learning activities, despite very soggy conditions. We also gave lessons on the importance of wetlands to school learners based close to some project sites, receiving pledges from over 220 children to reduce impacts on frogs and freshwater. We also enjoyed a peaceful evening at the Mount Moreland wetlands, home to the Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog, with several nature lovers, and a talk and walk at Simbithi Eco-Estate. uShaka Marine World, Joburg Zoo and the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria hosted educational stands and activities over the weekend of 25 February, engaging over 1,800 people. Other events were held in Bloemfontein, Plettenberg Bay and Howick.

We’ve designed social media filters and run citizen science observation projects, and in total, reached well over 16,000 people directly through events run either by the EWT or through several partnering organisations, including SANBI, uShaka SeaWorld, North-West University, various KZN Conservancies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Botanical Garden and Johannesburg Zoo Amphibian Research Project. Occasionally, we have even had international events – from Wales to Zambia! Our online reach through social media exceeded hundreds of thousands of people and hopefully inspires the next generation of amphibian conservation biologists – or at the very least, highlights some simple behaviour changes that can benefit frogs and freshwater habitats.

Check out our Leap Day for Frogs page to catch up with your Froggie Facts!

Earthly Eating: Lentils Kasha

Earthly Eating: Lentils Kasha

EARTHLY EATING: Lentils Kasha

Green Lentils with Kasha (Roasted Buckwheat)

Each month, we bring you delicious, nutritious, and eco-friendly recipes that our staff members or followers love! Here is a Earthly Eating: Lentils Kasha from Emily Taylor, the EWT’s Communications Manager

Preparation time: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked French green lentils
  • 3/4 cup uncooked kasha
  • 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted crushed tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about two lemons)
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 cups fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Preparation:

  • Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a pot, add the green lentils, and simmer on medium-low heat with the lid on until the lentils are tender (but not mushy). This should take about 15 minutes. Be sure to taste the lentils for doneness. If you need more water, add some during the cooking process. Once the lentils are finished cooking, drain the water from the pot and set aside.
  • In a pot, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, add the kasha, and simmer on low heat with the lid on the pot for about ten minutes until the kasha is finished cooking. Set aside.
  • Place a large sauté pan on the stove. Over low heat, add the lentils and kasha to the pan and mix. Mix in the raw garlic, tomatoes, lemon juice, coriander, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and most of the chopped parsley.
  • Sprinkle the remaining parsley atop the lentils and kasha mixture, and then pour the olive oil all over the mixture. Do not skimp on the olive oil; it adds necessary flavour to the dish.
  • Sprinkle a generous amount of feta cheese and drizzle additional olive oil atop the individual servings.
A word from the CEO March 2023

A word from the CEO March 2023

Word from the CEO

Yolan Friedmann

 

When Clive Walker, Neville Anderson, and James Clarke registered the Endangered Wildlife Trust in 1973 with the sole intention, at that time, of addressing the unsustainable trade in Cheetah skins and reversing the decline in this species. They had no idea where it would go or what it would do; they just knew they had to do something to save Cheetahs. 18,250 Days later, give or take a few, the EWT now works across southern and east Africa on more than 50 species of wild animals and plants threatened with extinction and, most important, has successfully reversed the decline in Cheetah across South Africa, which is now the ONLY country in the world with an increasing population size of Cheetah.

This year the Endangered Wildlife Trust commemorates 50 years of conservation excellence. The EWT has achieved remarkable gains for many species, where downward trends in the local populations of Wattled and Grey Crowned Cranes, Piggersgill’s Frogs, the Amathole Toad, and the Riverine Rabbit have joined the Cheetah as species on a pathway to recovery. Not satisfied with just doing this well, the EWT has further trailblazed by developing a range of technologies to safeguard powerlines against bird collisions and electrocutions, to deploy drones for safe and effective conservation-based activities, and to introduce the first wildlife detection dogs for rhino horn in many points of entry and exit in South Africa. These are just the tip of the iceberg, and throughout our Golden Anniversary year, we will share many stories of success and tales of triumph.

With more than 110 staff members working across 13 countries in Africa, the EWT is arguably one of the most effective and impactful conservation organisations in the region, and we certainly work across the widest diversity of species, habitats and issues. Often recognised for our role in safeguarding charismatic species like the Wild Dog and Cheetah, the EWT was one of the first organisations to galvanise serious conservation action for the entire range of vultures found in our region, and our 50 years of working with this group of eco-cleaning scavengers have taken a continental direction where our impact has been felt in almost every range state for African vultures and across the most significant threats such as poisoning and illegal trade. Less known to many people is the key role that the EWT played in preventing the extinction of the Brenton Blue Butterfly and safeguarding the future of one of the region’s most important centres of endemism: the Soutpansberg Mountain range. In recent years we have taken on the plight of reptiles and even some highly threatened plants. Just as important are the thousands of human lives improved by the work of the EWT through job creation, education, empowerment, resource protection and provision, livelihood creation and empowerment to take control of their environment and their futures.

There is a lot to celebrate, but no time to waste. What would you do if you were Clive, James or Neville today? What species in peril would prompt YOU to start a movement and establish a giant that will, in 2073, be saving those species and so many more? Pop us a comment below or tell us on our socials what you would do for nature!

If this is what the EWT has achieved so far, imagine what we can STILL do and how much we can still achieve. This is the theme for commemorating the EWT’s five decades of conservation in action. We will reflect on our past successes as much as we imagine the world ahead and plan for the milestones we want to achieve in future celebrations. In many ways, our work has just begun, and with the world continuing to reduce wildlife populations and destroy wild places, the Endangered Wildlife Trust is needed more than ever.

With your support, we can achieve even greater things and protect all our futures together. We cannot wait to celebrate our birthday with you, so watch the EWT socials, publications, and website for all the details and ways YOU can be part of the story we write for the next fifty…..

Happy Birthday, EWT.

Yolan Friedmann

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