The gravity of the situation...

Gravity plays a background role in most of our life.  We take it for granted.  But in some moments, gravity is a vivid force.

Me and gravity have been getting along fine, but sometimes our relationship is a bit strained (though I’m the only one doing the straining).  Roped ascents are a reasonably safe way to get high into trees.  A skill I learned while working for the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, on the recovery project for the endangered Echo Parakeet.  During the five months of the parakeet breeding season of ’06-’07, I had survived around 200 climbs.  Many of the natural tree-cavities, and artificial nesting boxes were scaled multiple times for various reasons; egg checks, hatching success, ringing, and end of season maintenance (bees, termites, anti-viral spraying, and fresh nesting woodchips).  This skill has been invaluable in recent years for putting up owl nesting boxes, and presently for the Crowned Eagle research.

some examples of climbing in Mauritius. central image by Mia Jessen

and recently at the Victoria Country Club. photos by James Walker

Since arriving here in April to start the research I have also become very keen on rock climbing.  Initially in order to improve flexibility and strength conditioning for the tree-climbing work, and well, it became great to be out on rock faces for fun and the wildlife.  The KZN climbers have produced an excellent route guide, and places like Monteseel, and Rumdoodle in the Kloof Gorge Nature Reserve are stunning areas. Often we are climbing in areas where a Lanner or Peregrine falcon will fly past, and at Umgeni Valley occasionally a Verreaux Eagle too.  When reaching high into a crack of rock the occasional thought of confronting a snake in its hideout creeps into my mind.  With a fascination for snakes, I am looking forward to seeing and identifying species, but face-to-face up a 20 meter wall with a skinny finger-hold – not so much.

Spotted Rock Snake   Lamprophis guttatus   a habitat specialist of rock flakes and crevices

I have attempted to manage the potential dangers of climbing to Crowned Eagle nests.  Of course the rope must be well maintained and checked for weak points.  Whilst climbing, old trees and particularly Eucalypts, create large brittle dead snags, which with a little shake or rope pressure, come crashing through the canopy.  Look up!

 And not least the eagles.  When it comes to eagles nesting - a good offense is the best defense.  There have been many cautionary tales told and I remembered from years back an image in Leslie Brown’s book of deep puncture wounds in his shoulder.  I didn’t know until recently that Ben Hoffman had been to that particular nest several times, but wasn’t there when Leslie was gripped below the ribs – the eagles talons missing his kidneys by a couple of centimeters.  Having spent time with Simon Thomsett also, he told of similar stories, including a Danish volunteer that was struck hard  “She had pushed his teeth through his gums and put a few deep holes in his head. On his way down the trees had broken his fall but had broken his arm too.”
Read the whole story here

Simon has been attacked several times, and on one occasions, remembering Leslies photo, took a similar self-portrait.

Brown, L. 1976. Birds of Prey: Their Biology and Ecology

Simon mimicking Leslie - follow the link in text to Simons blog 

With these tales, I prepared well to face the wrath of a protective mother, and decided on a foam filled backpack with waist straps to protect from attacks from the rear, and a police riot helmet with visor and neck guard.  Going so far as to paint big eyes on the back of my helmet – in the hopes that they will not be so bold as to attack while I’m watching.  There was one very recent incident that presented another danger that I didn't predict.  The wrath of a deeply passionate local who wasn't informed of the research we are doing.  Taking misperceptions to the extreme and not appreciating that our timing and disturbance on the eagles has been carefully considered, with the least disturbance possible, UKZN Animal Ethics approval, landowner permissions, and municipality permits.  Despite these details that we tried to explain, in the heat of the moment and with large pair of kitchen scissors, I found myself 20 meters up a tree with an irate local preparing to cut me down.  Thankfully, Mia saved what was potentially a fall to my death, or in the least, serious injury.  Yet the scissors still found their way to my rope anyhow, and our passionate resident cut off six meters from the free end of a R2,000 rope – as a warning.

Heated exchanges cooled, and over a lovely cup of sweet rooibos, it seems we ended the day on amicable terms.  It was a oversight on my part to not ensure the neighborhood was well informed with the details of the research, this is a lesson well learnt.