African Raptor Expedition

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November 20, 2008 One Min Read

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Simon Thomsett and Laila Bahaa-el-din are embarking on an expedition around Africa and its islands to monitor raptor populations on the continent. Their aims are to observe, collect data on and photograph all diurnal resident and migratory species. They also have as main objectives to meet local experts and raise awareness. They will write a regular blog at http://simonthomsett.wildlifedirect.org as well as publish in popular and scientific journals. On conclusion of the trip, they hope to produce a book on the diurnal raptor species of Africa. This they plan to do in partnership with individuals who study particular species around Africa.

The recent POAC in South Africa highlighted the need for cohesive Pan-African focus on raptors and the African Raptor Network is one way of bringing all parties together to discuss the issues. This raptor expedition aims to physically bridge the gap between local experts. Simon and Laila will investigate raptors from all ecotypes, including the deserts of North Africa, the savannahs of East and Southern Africa and the forests of West and Central Africa. If funds can be raised to include island species, the expedition will conclude with these by the end of 2009.

The trip starts within the next few weeks in Kenya. They would really like to hear from individuals studying raptors around Africa, so do get in touch. If you are interested in assisting in any way, would like more information or have advice and suggestions, please contact them at raptorexpedition@gmail.com.

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Dr. Ralph Buij

Ralph Buij is the Africa and Asia Conservation Director for The Peregrine Fund. Ralph has always been passionate about raptors and magnificent African Eagles, such as the Crowned and Martial Eagles portrayed in Leslie Brown´s books, which captured his imagination at a very early age. Following wildlife studies and work in South Africa and the depths of Gabon’s rainforests, Ralph took over the coordination of Leiden University’s research program in far northern Cameroon. While in that position, he carried out the field work for his PhD thesis on ‘Raptors in changing West African Savannas’, which led to the successful defense of his Ph.D. thesis in 2013. He studied both Afro-tropical and Palearctic raptor species, revealing new details about the breeding biology of Grasshopper Buzzards and African Swallow-tailed Kites. He is thrilled to work with The Peregrine Fund’s team and partners in Africa and Asia, trying to save Critically Endangered vultures using state-of-the-art technology such as GSM trackers, and using these same trackers to gain insight into the foraging ecology of African and Asian eagles. This works helps him and his collaborators understand how raptors cope with the various pressures on them. Learning how to help them survive the onslaught of threats, such as poisoning, is what motivates him.