De Wetshof Estate in Robertson has thrown its weight behind conservation efforts aimed at preventing the declining of the population of the Bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus), the majestic raptor that inspired De Wetshof’s iconic Bateleur Chardonnay.
The Bateleur was named South Africa’s Bird of the Year for 2024, and upon being alerted to the endangered status of this African eagle, De Wetshof joined the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) in its efforts using GPS attachments to track flight patterns of the raptor throughout sub-Saharan Africa. These GPS instruments will allow the EWT to capture vital data for, inter alia, identifying flight and settling paths of the Bateleur, the mined data enabling the EWT to embark on conservation programmes to halt the rapid decline of this raptor.
Johann de Wet, CEO of De Wetshof Estate, says it was shocking to surmise that only some 1 000 adult Bateleur eagles exist in South Africa. “Besides the general ethos of conservation running through the De Wet family, the status of the Bateleur population was concerning, as the name of this eagle has been associated with De Wetshof for over 30 years through the Bateleur Chardonnay, which has become one of South Africa’s most iconic white wines,” says De Wet. “When the Bateleur was named Bird of the Year, we contacted the EWT to see how De Wetshof could get involved with projects possibly relevant to the eagle.”
Johann, together with his father Danie and brother Peter, are life-long nature-lovers, continuing annual visits to the South African bushveld where they first came into contact with the Bateleur eagle decades ago. It was Danie de Wet, legendary winemaking pioneer of South African Chardonnay and proprietor of De Wetshof, who named a new wine from a special vineyard “Bateleur” when seeking a name for the wine’s maiden 1991 vintage and just having observed a soaring Bateleur in the Kruger National Park.
“Once conversations started with André Botha from the EWT and we were alerted to the Bateleur conservation mission, De Wetshof immediately agreed to be practically involved through sponsoring one of the GPS trackers to be attached to a Bateleur bird. This initiative will form part of the three-year project to collect the data needed to identify factors leading to its declining population and threatening its existence,” says De Wet.
The Bateleur is found throughout South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, dotting the skies of various countries, including Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, as well as northern states including Cameroon and Kenya. Threats that have led to the declining population of the Bateleur include loss of natural habitat to agriculture, wind-turbines, electricity pylons as well as the poisoning of animal carcasses with the aim of harvesting birds for muti purposes.
André Botha from the EWT says the Bateleur is probably one of the most recognisable, and certainly the most colourful, of Southern Africa’s large raptor species and is an iconic presence in the African skies. “It is vulnerable to a range of threats, especially habitat loss and poisoning, the latter due to its proclivity for regularly scavenging on carcasses,” says Botha. “Yet, it the Bateleur is one of the more poorly studied species of large raptors on the continent and it is important for us to do more work on this species to make better-informed decisions on its conservation across its range.”
To address these gaps in research and data on the Bateleur and implement effective conservation strategies, the EWT’s project involves the use of GPS tracking, combined with genetic surveys to gain a deeper understanding of the species' ecology, genetics, and the challenges it encounters.
“This pioneering project will lead to targeted conservation actions, hopefully ensuring the long-term survival of this magnificent eagle in sub-Sahara Africa,” says De Wet. During the EWT’s Bateleur conservation initiative, a total of 30 Bateleur eagles of both sexes and different age classes will be safely captured using ethically approved methods in each region, i.e. Southern-, East and Central/West Africa. Each bird will be fitted with a lightweight, solar-powered GPS tracker attached to a harness. The process will be overseen by experienced wildlife veterinarians to ensure minimal stress and harm to the birds.
There are currently eight birds tagged in the Kruger National Park, with two birds in northern Mozambique and one in western Zambia. The GPS units – known as EOBS GSM – are imported from Germany and priced at 3 000 US dollars apiece. De Wetshof is currently covering the cost of one unit, which will soon accompany a Bateleur eagle on its journey through the skies of Southern Africa.
“Myself and the De Wetshof team are looking forward to meeting the Bateleur that we have sponsored to harvest this critical data for the EWT’s project, and for De Wetshof it is an honour and of great importance to be involved in this initiative, the results of which will hopefully help halt the declining population of a magnificent bird that is as much a part of De Wetshof as our Chardonnay vineyards.”