Simon Thomsett gently removes a pink bandage from the wing of an injured bateleur, a short-tailed eagle native to the African savannah and at risk of extinction. As he carefully inspects the bird’s injury, he explains, “There is still a long road ahead for healing.”
The 62-year-old vet, who manages the Soysambu Raptor Centre in central Kenya, recounts how the 18-month-old eagle, with its striking red beak and black plumage, was brought to the sanctuary five months ago after being injured in the Maasai Mara national park. The center provides a safe haven for around 30 other injured raptors in the area.
The decline in raptor population on the continent, as highlighted in a study by The Peregrine Fund, is alarming. Reasons for this decline range from scavengers dying from consuming poisoned livestock remains to fatalities caused by power lines and deforestation. Thomsett fears that some species may be beyond saving due to the rapid rate of decline.
Another challenge faced by birds of prey is their negative public image. Shiv Kapila, who manages a bird sanctuary in the Naivasha national park, works to educate communities about the importance and beauty of these creatures. Through school trips and community outreach, attitudes towards birds of prey are slowly changing.
Despite the challenges, there is room for optimism. Thomsett recalls injured birds that made remarkable recoveries, some even returning years later to visit. The work done at sanctuaries like Soysambu and Naivasha is vital in ensuring the survival of these magnificent creatures, even if the impact may sometimes feel small in the face of such widespread decline.