In recent times the mystery of why the numbers of secretary birds are dropping in SA has caused concern and puzzlement to conservationists.
In order to find out more, zoologist Beryl Wilson of the Endangered Wildlife Trust has, in collaboration with a mining company, fitted a cell phone to a secretary bird to monitor its life and habits.
The cell phone was attached by means of a specially designed harness which was fitted to the bird's back. (see pic above). The minute, lightweight cellphone uploads the bird's location to a cellphone mast every hour, and that information is then downloaded to a tracking database. This will help Beryl et al to learn more about the range and habits of the secretary bird, and may unlock some of the secrets behind the decline in numbers.
The cell phone battery should last around 15 months and thereafter the harness will disintegrate.
The bird, a three month old chick, has been named 'Tshipi'.
Follow Tshipi online by visiting its facebook page.
