Join the Endangered Wildlife Trust and SANParks in a
photographic survey of Saddle-billed Storks in the Kruger
National Park. The survey started on 1 September 2009 and will
run for a full calendar year. This survey forms part of a
research project that will be conducted over the next three
years on the population status of Saddle-billed Storks, one of
Kruger’s rarities, and one of the “Big Six” birds. “Census
operations on any species within the boundaries of the Kruger
National Park are important to help us get an idea of that
species’ status within the context of biodiversity management,”
says Marcelle van Hoven, the project’s coordinator. “The last
Saddlebilled Stork survey conducted in 1993 suggested that there
were less than 60 of these birds left in the Park.” Saddle-
billed Storks (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) are distinctly
identifiable by their large size (they stand about 150 cm tall),
sharply contrasting black and white plumage and yellow lappet
(saddle-like structure) on the bill. The males have