Angus Anthony and Beryl Wilson received the coveted award of Sasol Nature Conservationist of the year 2013. The award was presented to these deserving individuals by the Endangered Wildlife Trust Birds of Prey Programme at the Country Club of Johannesburg recently.

This award comes after Anthony and Wilson have worked closely on the African White-backed Vulture Ringing in Dronfield and Inglewood farm since its inception 21 years ago.

Anthony has been monitoring the vulture population for more than 20 years and has made significant contributions towards vulture conservation efforts. “I was certainly taken a back when I was informed about the nomination and that I subsequently won. I am truly honoured to have been acknowledged for the work that I have done. I share this award with each person that has joined in our efforts to preserve our birdlife over the years.”

Wilson has made a significant contribution towards elevating the standard and level of monitoring the Dronfield birds feeding and fledging process by installing a camera-trap at a particular location in 2012 to capture sightings as they occur. This camera-trap have resulted in almost 1 000 records of bird sightings since 2012 which is a substantial increase from less a 100 between 2006 and 2011.

In addition to this Wilson has provided food for these vultures by soliciting local game and stock farmers to donate fresh, whole and drug-free carcasses close to the camera-traps to ensure adequate feeding for vultures.

As a key role player and sponsor for the Endangered Wild Life Trust Vulture Monitoring Project since 1998 Sasol has continued to support the monitoring and evaluation of vulture population trends throughout southern Africa.

The project promotes vulture conservation amongst farming and rural communities of southern Africa through engagement, which continuously assesses the status of vulture populations. This assists in maintaining a high level of research on vultures in Southern Africa and to establish and maintain a long-term monitoring programme.

Richard Hughes, Sasol’s Sponsorship Manager said, “Sasol is committed to sponsoring a variety of bird-related projects including the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Programme to ensure the preservation of our country’s birds. We aim to foster enthusiasm for the protection of our precious bird resource in South Africa.”

Now retired and living in George Anthony continues to work on the Dronfield breeding project making regular trips to Kimberly to oversee the process. Wilson works as a Zoologist and Field Biologiest at the McGregor Museum in Kimberly.

For further information on the project, please visit www.ewt.org.za

Ends

Andre Botha, Manager: Birds of Prey Programme, Beryl Wilson, Angus Anthony and Prof Ara Monadjem, a member of the BoPP Advisory Committee

Issued by:

Alex Anderson, Group Media Manager

Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3295; Mobile +27 (0) 71 600 9605;

alex.anderson@sasol.com

Jacqui O’Sullivan, GM: Group Communication

Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252; Mobile +27 (0) 82 883 9697;

jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com