The 2010 stadium is the only poison-free stadium in the world and has set a standard in efficient bird control. The Urban Raptor Project manages the new Port of Ngqura, Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park and the 2010 stadium using poison-free natural methods.

About the project

The consulting engineers BKS and the stadium architect approached Urban Raptor Project in 2008.Stadium Architect Dominic Bonnesse was also involved at the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park where the URP is responsible for a natural poison-free problem species control program.

After seeing and hearing about the success of the program there, he wanted it implemented in the stadium as well. Dominic had been on an international tour of stadiums and seen firsthand the damage caused by birds and also the financial cost of cleaning up behind them.

The URP commenced with initial stages of bird management in April 2009.Through controlling birds inside the stadium and keeping an eye outside, the stadium has to date no bird or rodent problems. Excellent waste management systems by the stadium management support this program.

Exotic bird control

The stadium is surrounded by a major concentration of feral pigeons. The structure is conducive to encouraging pigeons to roost and breed there. Every stadium in the world has major bird [mainly feral pigeon] problems. • Feral pigeons need to be controlled or preferably eradicated totally. They are a health risk and compete with our indigenous bird species. This view is supported by all Nature Conservation authorities and ornithologists. • Feral pigeons are an exotic species and may be hunted at any time. They carry no protection other than obviously they may not be cruelly treated. • Live-trapping is another option but the end result is still the same. All pigeons have strong homing instincts and can return from hundreds of kilometres away. So all birds trapped have to be destroyed. Birds are controlled inside the stadium by using trained falcons to disturb and hunt them. Birds attempting to roost at night inside the stadium are disturbed. Another problem species is the ever increasing urban crow populations which are also controlled inside the stadium. Crows interfere with the wiring systems on the speakers and create a major mess. The Nature Conservation Ordinance recognizes them as a problem species. By the end of February 2010 2 raptor nest boxes will be put up on the outside of the stadium to encourage Rock kestrels to take up residence. Local Rock Kestrels and African Peregrine falcons (from URP city nest boxes) come into the stadium to hunt.

Rodent control

No poison will be used for rodent control. All problem rodent control will be done by mechanical means. By March 2010 a pair of captive bred Spotted Eagle owls will be introduced to set up territory in the gardens of the stadium. To date there is no rodent problem in the stadium, mainly thanks to the natural predators such as kestrels and herons which can freely hunt any rodents without risk of secondary poisoning. The stadiums excellent waste management strategy also plays a key role here.

Insect control

Two bat boxes are being prepared for the stadium. Bats are already making use of the stadium to hunt and are playing a role along with wagtails and kestrels in insect control on the pitch. In the future more boxes will be put out as bats are an integral weapon in insect, including even cockroach, control.

Project Wagtail

Cape Wagtails are present on the pitch and 3 months ago for the first time a pair of African Pied wagtails also moved in. What is interesting is that it’s a first time recording for Pied wagtails in Port Elizabeth. The wagtails are also helping control insect pests on the pitch so indigenous trees will be planted in pots around the pitch. This will provide safe roosts and nesting place for the wagtails. The wagtails are so well attuned to the falcons now that whenever one flies through they just dive into the various drainage pipes and sit tight until danger passes.

For more information contact Arnold Slabbert at wildline@yebo.co.za