The company has been working with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) since 1985 providing funding and lending support to various eagle and environmental education projects aimed at creating a better understanding of the interdependence of plant and animal life and the importance of ecosystems.
Projects like the sponsorship of Enviro; sponsoring research into the thickness of the shells of African Fish Eagle eggs to investigate the declining number of African Fish Eagles and monitor the extent of DDT pollution of our waterways. Research into the inter-relationship between the Black Eagle, farmer and dassie to prove the economic benefit to the farmer of having eagles on his land; and the subsequent production of the “Eagles & Farmers” booklet. The eagle display at Delta Park and the sponsorship of a 15-minute video entitled “Eagles & Farmers”, as a follow up to the booklet.
A promotional brochure, for Eskom’s RP3 Raptor Protector, was produced in 1990, aimed at making power lines safe for eagles. Thereafter, sponsorship of EWT’s booklet “Predators & Farmers”. Eagle Indemnity - an extension to the Farmer’s Multimark Policy, which provides free cover against loss or death of lambs or kids where eagles are held responsible - was introduced in 1992 and was followed up with the production of a guide entitled “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”.
The Kalahari Raptor Project was introduced to the company in 1993 and beside this support, a 4x4 vehicle, for use in the Kalahari, was also donated. In 1996, a donation was provided for the erection of raptor enclosures at the Kuruman Veterinary Clinic and a further commitment was granted to the Kalahari Raptor Project. This commitment still continues today. The 5th World Raptor Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls held in South Africa also received support and an additional video, “Eagles: shadows on the wing”, was produced. All profits from the sale of this video were placed in a fund to be used for the benefit of southern Africa’s birds of prey.
In October 1999 the National Eagle Day was born. It was a day in which all staff members were encouraged to involve themselves in a project aimed at bringing various members of the community closer to nature. Bookmarks, posters, stickers, the sponsored publications and videos were distributed or shown at these events each year.
The aim of the Trust Fund, originally, was to build the monetary resources to a level that was substantial enough to warrant the use of these funds to address conservation issues. A committee oversees the running of the fund and all projects, including the Kalahari Raptor Project; printing of booklets, posters etc., are funded from the account. The Committee meets formally to discuss, among other things, the financial status of the account and applications that have been received for funding additional projects.
Following a request, in 2005, to investigate the viability of a project in the form of a classroom for a rural school in the Kalahari, Project Executant Abrie Maritz, was tasked to investigate possibilities and identify potential schools in his area of operation.
Two schools were identified, Boplaas Primary School and Laerskool Saambou, both of which accommodate learners from the families of farmers and farm workers in the Kalahari. Both schools indicated that, rather than an additional classroom, it would be preferable to acquire a cooler room for the storage of perishable foods used at their boarding facilities.
In an area of extreme temperatures like the Kalahari, this facility is essential and following an assessment, funding was approved for the acquisition and installation of the units.
In order to spread the conservation message further and support projects that address environmental issues, Zurich and Cross Country partnered the Birds of Prey Working Group in October 2002 to form the Zurich Cross Country 4x4 Club. The purpose of forming the club was to combine resources, energies and expertise with a view to becoming practically involved in selected conservation issues.
An amount of R2.00 per All Terrain Policy is transferred to the Trust Fund each month and both organisations make a contribution of R1.00 each per policy. The income generated is used to support selected conservation projects in conjunction with the Birds of Prey Working Group and EWT.
The sustainability and development of the natural resources in our country continues to be a challenge we will face into the future. This exclusive club provides a wonderful opportunity for the company to make a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s rich natural heritage.
An information help line was set up a number of years ago to deal with problem eagles, provide information that’s required by students or school children and any other issues that deal with raptors. Membership stickers and a corporate brochure were produced to assist in marketing the organisation and funding is provided towards the Group’s AGM.
