Raptor conservation in the northern Cape Province, South Africa

The semi-arid Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province in South Africa. One of the main economic activities is sheep farming, and the properties are generally very large (>5 000 ha). A heterogeneous environment results in many habitats fora wide diversity of raptors. Fifty-one different species have been recorded, of which 37 are resident, 21 are common, and eight species are listed in the South African Red Data Book - Birds. As habitat degradation is limited, besides the areas immediately adjacent to the perennial rivers, raptors are still commonly encountered in many areas. Conflict with small-stock farming, however, results in some birds being inadvertently or directly persecuted each year. Two farmer questionnaire postal surveys (1976 and 1992) indicated a decrease in range and abundance of certain scavenging species, such as the Tawny Eagle. The more recent survey also indicated that most stock mortalities occurred in the mountainous areas, with the Black Eagle being the apparent culprit. Zn the Northern Cape there are both positive and negative anthropogenic effects on raptors. For example, 14 species have been recorded breeding on man-made structures, while 18 species have been documented to drown in farm reservoirs. Through the activities of the Raptor Conservation Group, the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Service and the Northern Cape Raptor Conservation Forum various threats are being addressed. Raptor conservation activities include: monitoring of raptor breeding populations, road censuses, farmer extension, establishment of raptor conservancies, rehabilitation of injured raptors, issuing of certificates to land-owners who have breeding raptors on their properties, presentation of the annual Gariep Raptor Conservationist Award, production and distribution of raptor pamphlets and booklets, modification of farm reservoirs to prevent raptor drownings, modification of powerlines to prevent electrocutions, and establishment of "vulture restaurants". Through these efforts, the status of many raptor species is improving and species such as the Bateleur and Lappet-faced Vulture are becoming increasingly common.