Dramatic rescue saves African crowned eagle

KNYSNA NEWS – The dramatic rescue of a gorgeous African crowned eagle on the night of Friday 2 June and Saturday morning, ended successfully when the bird was located and taken to a local vet for treatment.

Fisherman André Steenberg found the crowned eagle in distress and being mobbed by gulls just outside the Knysna Heads.

Much excitement ensued and even the Knysna NSRI reacted to calls for help to rescue the bird, as there were concerns that she might die from hypothermia and exhaustion if left untreated.

The first attempt at capturing the bird on Friday afternoon and a night-time rescue attempt by Raptor Rescue and NSRI Knysna proved unsuccessful, despite everyone's best efforts. But, at first light on Saturday, Mark Robson of Raptor Rescue in Plettenberg Bay was on site searching the Brenton shoreline and found the bird.

It was taken to Dr Rolf Lamprecht at Knysna Veterinary Clinic and put on antibiotics.

The rescued African crowned eagle safely in the hands of Mark Robson from Raptor Rescue.

"Although there were no significant injuries she has a substantial amount of water in her lungs," said Laura Fotheringham of Raptor Rescue.

"We are privileged to be working with this beautiful big female. We are very happy to report that she has already gained some strength after her first night in rehab with us and we are hoping for a full recovery."

She extended special thanks to Jerome Simonis and the NSRI Knysna team, Dr Rolf Lamprecht and the team at Knysna Veterinary Clinic, Melanie de Morney of SANParks who heads the Garden Route Crowned Eagle Project, working alongside Mark Brown and Josh Kellyn, and André Steenberg, for rescuing the eagle from the sea where she "would have otherwise most certainly have drowned".

The African crowned eagle is Africa's most powerful eagle and is considered near-threatened as a result of habitat loss.

The African crowned eagle, perched up on the mast of a boat in the Knysna Estuary.