Platjan, on the border of Botswana and South Africa in the Limpopo province, became the scene of a six day oxpecker catch operation, involving both hard work and patience. The team included Arnaud le Roux and Claudia Hodkinson of the EWT’s Poison Working Group, Lianda Lotter of the Agriculture Research Council, Joseph Heymans of the LDEDET, and Kobie and Toni Raijmakers, passionate and expert SAFRING bird-ringers who provided high quality equipment including all nets, traps and ringing equipment. Nets were diligently set-up before sunrise and a wide range of birds were caught, ranging from Queleas to Grey-Headed Parrots, and a total of 34 Red-Billed Oxpeckers.

A temporary aviary was constructed for the oxpeckers, into which they were released after each day’s catch. They were fed on a mixture of fresh blood and mincemeat. The oxpeckers were transported by road in the dark, early, morning hours to the Spioenkop Nature Reserve within the greater Mount Royal Conservancy. The oxpeckers were then transferred and kept in a temporary aviary in the middle of the reserve at a water hole, surrounded by large numbers of game. After four days the oxpeckers were released into the landscape as in days gone by. The oxpeckers will be monitored by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff, conservancy members and the public.

Oxpeckers can be one of the farmer’s greatest natural allies on game and cattle farms. It is very important to offer the birds the best chance of survival by managing tick infestations with the correct products and management protocols. The ongoing success of Operation Oxpecker is thus insured through a wildlife mitigation process to manage and promote the expansion of the South African oxpecker populations to the benefit of all.

By Arnuad le Roux & Claudia Hodkinson
Poison Working Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27(0)11 486 1102
Fax: +27(0)11 486 1506
Cell: 082-858-6513
E-mail: pwg@ewt.org.za or oxpecker@ewt.org.za