The Aerial Mission to Save a Martial Eagle in Springbok

“On the 18th of July, 2024, I embarked on an extraordinary mission that blended the thrill of aviation with the noble cause of wildlife conservation - to Save a Martial Eagle. Our task was to transport an injured Martial Eagle from Springbok airfield to Wonderboom, Pretoria, where it would be taken to the Onderstepoort veterinary facility for initial critical treatment and then onto rehabilitation at Vulpro.

The Call to Action TO Save a Martial Eagle

The call for help came in on Wednesday, the 17th of July. The Bateleur organisation needed a pilot to ferry an injured eagle, and I was quick to volunteer. Steve, our coordinator, efficiently paired me with a co-pilot, Palavee Appigado, a recent graduate from Blue Chip Flying School with a Commercial Pilot’s License and Instrument Rating. Not only was she a capable aviator, but she also brought along her knack for social media, documenting our mission with numerous photos.

Departure from Wonderboom

We took off from Wonderboom at 10:45 local time, our Piper PA28R packed with fuel for the long journey ahead. The flight to Springbok, about five hours in total, was mostly smooth despite a headwind that kept our ground speed between 115 to 120 knots. At 10,000 feet, we enjoyed breathtaking views of South Africa's diverse landscapes, from the solar power plants at Upington to the sprawling Namaqualand desert and the vivid green ribbon of the Orange River.

Arrival in Springbok

Approaching Springbok, we encountered a bank of clouds, but with a high cloud base, we easily flew beneath them. The ground temperature at Springbok was a brisk 0 degrees Celsius. We were greeted by Maxine, who handed over our precious cargo: an emaciated Martial Eagle with a severely contracted right leg.

Springbok's aerodrome is notably well-equipped. We refueled and carefully loaded the eagle into our aircraft. Despite being one of the heaviest birds of prey, the box containing the Martial Eagle was surprisingly light.

The Return Journey

We departed Springbok at 16:45, aided by a favorable tailwind. At FL115, our ground speed increased to a delightful 175 to 185 knots. Night flying over long distances in a single-engine aircraft can be daunting, but the clear skies and a strong moon provided excellent visibility. The engine purred steadily throughout the flight, and we safely touched down at Wonderboom around 20:30.

 Amanda, our ground team member, promptly whisked the eagle off to Onderstepoort for its medical treatment. Palavee and I were left with a sense of accomplishment and hope for the eagle’s recovery.

Reflections on the Mission

This mission was more than just a flight; it was a lifeline for a majestic bird struggling to survive. The experience reaffirmed the vital role aviation can play in wildlife conservation. It was an honor to contribute to the preservation of such a magnificent species. According to Maxine, one of the significant threats to the Martial Eagle population is, surprisingly, crows.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Steve for the seamless coordination, Palavee for her capable co-piloting and enthusiastic documentation, and Maxine for her dedication on the ground. This mission showcased the power of teamwork and the incredible impact we can make when we come together for a cause.

I look forward to seeing Palavee’s photos shared widely, spreading awareness of the Martial Eagle’s plight and inspiring others to support conservation efforts. Here’s to many more successful missions in the skies, each one a step towards preserving our planet’s precious wildlife.

Author: Roger Bozzoli, Bateleurs pilot for the mission

Images : Supplied