Gin traps and poisons should be
used with great care and only as a
last resort. These methods are often
inhumane if used irresponsibly and
would maim and kill large numbers
of non-target mammals and birds.
Poison virtually eradicated the magnificent and harmless Bateleur from
South African farmland. You should
aim problem animal control at the
individual culprit rather than the
species. The Poison Working will
give valuable advice on all methods
of problem animal management.
Selective methods such as toxic livestock protection collars, selective
shooting and cage traps should be
considered as first options .
controlling pests and rabies. This
is a Black Eagle lunch bag showing the remains of the 200 — 300
dassies taken out by a pair of eagles each year. Eagles are as
much a part of nature as the elements themselves. So try to tolerate them for the good that they
do and work with nature to create a sound ecological balance
on the farm.
The Raptor Conservation Group is
building up a data-base on mortality factors affecting lambs in
the different parts of southern
Africa. If you use this guide to
identify what is killing your
lambs, then please send the data
to us.
All publications suggested in
Remember the important role that
eagles play on the farm in terms of
Original text
Fanie Bekker, Tony Rowland, Dirk
Brand, Rob Davies, Peter Steyn, Erik
Verreynne.
Reviewed text 2015
Ronelle Visagie, André Botha
Dassie skull remains of normal
eagle prey
Even Black-backed Jackals
should be removed selectively
this guide are available from:
The Endangered Wildlife Trust
Private Bag X11
MODDERFONTEIN
1645
South Africa
Phone: (011) 372 3600 / 1 /2
Web site: www.ewt.org.za
Other references
Bekker, S J. Conservation farming
with problem animals in the
Swartber g area. MSc thesis. University of Stellenbosch.MSc tesis
verhandeling. Universiteit Stellenbosch.
Roberts, D H 1986. Determination of predators responsible for
killing small livestock. South Afr.
J. Wildl. Res. 16: 150-1 52.
Rowley, I. 1970. Lamb predation
in Australia: incidence, predisposing conditions, and the identification of wounds. CSIRO Wildl.
Res. 15: 79-123. Ratcliffe, P R &
Rowe, J J 1979. (see drawing)