The Black Eagles of Roodekrans are a world famous breeding pair of urban Eagles that live on the red cliffs (Roodekrans) in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens next to the Witpoortjie waterfall. Several generations of these Eagles have lived here for about 80 years and are followed the world over. Should the urban pressure become too much to bear and the birds can no longer find sufficient food to raise their annual offspring, It is feared that they would vacate the site in search of more fertile breeding grounds. Then this iconic pair could be lost to the community for ever.
The Albertina Sisulu Orchid is an incredibly beautiful and very rare orchid which occurs on public and private land adjoining the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. It is Critically Endangered and protected by law, only about 150 of these rare orchids still remain on earth. The Sugarbush Ridge Ecosystem is home to about 130 individuals, the last known place on earth where they still comprise a viable population. Despite this, authorization has been given for a high density housing development inside this sensitive area, which is likely to destroy the orchid and significantly reduce the hunting territory for the Black Eagles, placing them and other wildlife under even more severe urban pressure. The housing development is currently being challenged in the high court by the PCA.
To save the Black Eagles of Roodekrans and the unique Albertina Sisulu Orchid, we need to regulate our collective human footprint on the Sugarbush Ridge Ecosystem. To achieve this is in such a highly urbanized and densely populated area we all have to work together as a community, so that we can enjoy and appreciate this valuable natural asset without destroying it in the process.
There is no reason why humans and wildlife cannot exist side by side in harmony, it is up to us to find the solutions.
The Coalition
The Sugarbush Ridges Coalition was formed by several non-profit organisations joining forces with the main objective of conserving the Sugarbush Ridges and surrounding area in as natural a state as possible.
The team consists of a bunch of die hard conservationists cultivated by many years spent under the African sun. We share one common vision, to protect and preserve at all cost the tremendous natural splendour of the Sugarbush Ridge, for everyone to enjoy for many generations to come.
Proteadal Conservation Association (PCA)
- The PCA by working on the ground, has facilitated the installation of a large amount of erosion control measures, their volunteers have also cleared infestations of alien trees along the ridge and continue to do so.
- The PCA also raised significant funds to support a court challenge on a large tract of land approved for urban development.
Wild Orchids Southern Africa (WOSA)
- WOSA has through its annual conferences and collaborative work with the PCA ensured that the Albertina Sisulu Orchid has received the media attention and conservation priority that it deserves, which developers would rather have kept under wraps.
Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR)
- Several kilometers of fencing was installed to assist the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden. The BEPR also raises funds to support conservation activities on the ridge.
The Bankenveld Branch of the Botanical Society of SA (BotSoc)
- The Botsoc have raised funds and sponsored numerous projects in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens for over 36 years, and have an extensive list of achievements under their belt.
The Sugarbush Ridge Ecosystem itself is listed as a critically endangered ecosystem, and is faced with certain challenges such as severe soil erosion caused by off-road vehicles, illegal dumping of waste, poaching of wild animals and urban development, all threatening the future security of the ridge and all the fauna and flora that depend on it for their survival.
Our urgent task is to improve security in the focus area and establish observation posts and patrols to monitor activity and ensure that users of the ridge do so in a responsible manner which doesn’t cause harm. We need to purchase and install signage, equip our rangers with binoculars, radios, bicycles, backpacks, cameras etc. and establish a training program for rangers and volunteers. We need to erect fencing, and we need to constantly defend the ridge against urban development applications.
The Sugarbush Ridges Coalition is working with government and private landowners towards securing the ridge system as a protected environment, however until this happens we need to protect the remaining integrity of the ridges or there may be nothing left to protect. Our ultimate vision is to create a protected natural area which is available to the local communities to enjoy sustainably as a natural urban open space of value to all.
All donations will be used to fund practical efforts to conserve the Black Eagles and other threatened species that make up the rich biodiversity of the Sugarbush Ridges.
Practical conservation efforts include:
- Training and equipping of rangers who patrol and monitor unsustainable activities such as: poaching, illegal logging, setting of wildfires as well as regulating the entry of recreational vehicles which can cause erosion and disturbance of sensitive species such as the Mountain Reedbuck.
- Fencing of strategic areas to protect wildlife from traffic and other urban dangers such as domestic dogs.
- Clearing of alien invasive trees which degrade and transform the habitat.
- Purchasing equipment needed for erosion control measures and alien plant control.
- Printing environmental education materials aimed at children from surrounding communities.
- Challenging incompatible property developments that threaten the ecological viability of the ridge.
Keep the eagles flying
Ensure the long term survival of the Black Eagles of Roodekrans and the Albertina Sisulu Orchid as well as the natural beauty of the Sugarbush Ridge Ecosystem that supports them. This entire ridge is highly threatened by rapid urbanisation, it is home to several red data plants and animals as well as other wildlife. The project seeks to establish a protected environment for the ridge ecosystem for sustainable use and enjoyment by the community for the long term future. Please support this project here.
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