Martial Eagle - Conservation Issues

Conservation Issues

The Martial Eagle is probably naturally scarce, due to its requirement for large territories and low reproductive rates. However, the species has been experiencing a major decline in numbers in recent years, due largely to being directly killed by humans. Its conservation status was uplisted to Near Threatened in 2009. In many areas where they come into contact with humans, eagle populations have decreased greatly through persecution via shooting and poisoning. The reasoning behind such persecution is that Martial Eagles are taken as a predatory threat to livestock. Despite this perception, in reality domestic animals constitute only a small proportion of the species' diet, whereas the presence of eagles is a sure sign of a healthy environment. Indirect threats, such as collision with power-lines, are also a common modern problem for Martial Eagles. Another hazard is caused by steep sided farm reservoirs, in which many birds drown. In South Africa, this eagle may have lost 20% of its population in the last three generations due to such collisions. Further excerbating the problems faced by the Martial Eagle, habitat destruction and reduction of prey continues to occur at a high rate outside of protected areas. The preservation of this species depends on education of farmers, and the increase of protected areas where the species can nest and hunt.