Mondeor man receives award for bird conservation

MONDEOR – John Ledger started out as a medical entomologist, 18 years with the South African Institute for Medical Research, completing his PhD and becoming Head of the Department of Medical Entomology. He revised the iconic book, Skaife’s African Insect Life, published by Struik in 1979. In 1973, with Peter Mundy, John founded the Vulture Study Group.

“Once appointed as Director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust in 1985, John grew the EWT from four staff members to a leading conservation NGO. He has left a legacy of strategic partnerships between the EWT and Eskom and ACSA which still endure,” said Dr Phoebe Barnard, Honorary President BirdLife South Africa.

She went to say, “John’s work on vultures, and the establishment of the Vulture Study Group, contributed hugely to the study and conservation of vultures in southern Africa. The Sasol Vulture Monitoring Project was launched in 1988 as an initiative of the VSG to monitor the Cape Griffons of the Magaliesberg. Since then, it has stretched across a large section of southern Africa, where most Cape Griffon colonies are monitored on a continuous basis. The project has now expanded its conservation and monitoring strategy to include all other southern African vulture species, ensuring the survival and prosperity of our vultures.

“John Ledger, with Peter Mundy, Duncan Butchart and Steven Piper, co-authored the publication The Vultures of Africa.  This remarkable book presents all eleven species of vulture on the African continent, for the first time, in an authoritative account that ranks as the most important ornithological work on these fascinating and threatened birds.

“John’s involvement with the electricity utility Eskom needs special mention. His initial interaction with Eskom in 1977 was the precursor for the Eskom-EWT Strategic Partnership.  The main aim of the partnership was to systematically address avian interactions through an integrated management system. This has led to the mitigation of hazardous electricity pylons and the construction of raptor-friendly pylons, which undoubtedly saved the lives of thousands of raptors and other birds through a reduction in bird collisions and electrocutions.  The partnership remains highly respected both nationally and internationally.

“John has authored numerous scientific and popular science articles, and is editor of the joint NGO publication called Environment — People and Conservation in Africa.

“John is a Visiting Professor at Wits University where he has presented a module on energy for the MSc course in Environmental Science since 2002.

“Since 2009, John has been Associate Professor of Energy Studies at the University of Johannesburg, running the Honours course in Energy Studies, which is popular with working students. His CV reflects a wide and vigorous involvement with trusts, boards, NGOs and private companies in the environmental and renewable energy fields.

“John has had a highly entertaining and lively career, with many thrilling, perhaps dodgy, flights with pilots in the field, and trips with Peter Mundy, Stephen Piper, Andre Boshoff and others in aid of improved electricity infrastructure for vultures, eagles and other things. John’s influence on conservation policy and practice in South Africa has been pragmatic, visionary, irreverent and very good-humoured.

“So it is our greatest pleasure to announce that the inaugural Austin Roberts Memorial Medal Award in 2014 goes to Dr John Ledger. Thank you John, for everything you have done for Africa’s birds and their habitats,” concluded Dr Phoebe Barnard, Honorary President BirdLife South Africa.