Page 17 - UKZN Foundation AR 2023

Eagles. Led by PhD student Ms Varalika Jain, this initiative aims to unravel the intricate relationship between Crowned Eagles and their urban environment, shedding light on how these apex predators adapt to human activities and threats.
“We aim to deploy another 10 devices. To achieve this, we aim to fundraise R100,000 and appeal to possible donors to assist us,” said McPherson.
“In Durban, Crowned Eagles exhibit unique breeding behaviour, with half of the pairs breeding successfully every year, contrary to the usual biennial breeding cycle observed elsewhere. This phenomenon is facilitated by the city’s rich biodiversity, allowing eagles to prey on abundant urban wildlife such as Dassies, Hadeda Ibis, and Vervet Monkeys. Less than 1% of prey are cats and small dogs. Although this is such a numerically small number, it is a very personal and traumatic situation for a family, which can create hatred and persecution of the endangered eagles. That is why we are working hard to further reduce this from happening,” explained McPherson.
McPherson is also the scientific advisor for a two-part documentary on Raptors that aired on American Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) in April.
Dr Shane McPherson (right) with PhD student Ms Varalika Jain (left) seen attaching an ID ring.
of Durban and KZN, his efforts have bridged the gap between scientific research and real-world conservation action.
At the core of the project lies a multifaceted approach, encompassing both scientific inquiry and community engagement. McPherson’s publications, including 12 research papers on Crowned Eagles and popular magazine articles in multiple languages, reflect the breadth and depth of his research endeavours. From investigating breeding ecology to understanding prey availability and habitat use, each study contributes to a deeper understanding of urban raptor dynamics.
One of the project’s most significant undertakings involves the deployment of advanced tracking devices on breeding adults. These Ornitela OT-50 trackers, capable of high-resolution tracking and behaviour classification, provide invaluable insights into the movement patterns and hunting behaviours of urban Crowned
An example of one month of GPS tracking data of a male Crowned Eagle in the Moseley suburb near Pinetown.
UKZN FOUNDATiON ANNUAL REPORT 2023 15