Full annual report - Zurich

corporate social investmentEDUCATIONAL SUPPORTSA Eagle Bursary FundThe SA Eagle Bursary Fund, introduced in 2002, continued in 2003. An amount of R120 000 was allocated toseven students who wished to continue their studies towards the BTech (Education) and a new student wasincorporated into the bursary programme. According to progress reports provided by the South African Institute ofRace Relations who administer the fund on behalf of SA Eagle, the students, who are all studying at the PeninsulaTechnikon are showing satisfactory results with three students having attained distinctions in the year-endexaminations and four having completed a practice teaching block during the first half of the year. Students arecounselled biannually, their progress is monitored and support and guidance is provided to those in need.SA EAGLE14University donationsSA Eagle has been donating funds to the major universities in South Africa since 1966. During 2003 an amountof R80 000 was split between 12 universities. The funds are not allocated to specific projects run by theuniversities, rather, use thereof is at the discretion of each institution.In 1988, the insurance industry, through the Insurance Institute of South Africa, undertook to finance the Chair ofInsurance and Risk Management at Wits University. Support of the initiative contributes to the development of alarger pool of skilled insurance practitioners. SA Eagle allocated an amount of R30 800 to the Chair in 2003.CONSERVATION INITIATIVESSA Eagle Trust FundThe SA Eagle Trust Fund was set up to sponsor eagle conservation activities. The Trust Fund Committee comprisingrepresentatives from SA Eagle and the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Raptor Conservation Group meets twice a year todecide on funding suitable projects.Raptor Conservation GroupSA Eagle’s involvement with the Raptor Conservation Group started when they were formed in 1993. A group ofraptor enthusiasts founded it as a working group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Operating as a non-profit, nongovernmentalorganisation affiliated to the World Conservation Union, they are dependent entirely upon fundingfrom the private sector. The Group has a number of field projects operating in South Africa and focuses its work onawareness, population monitoring, conflict resolution and habitat stabilisation. Currently the following projects arebeing supported from the SA Eagle Trust Fund:Kalahari Raptor ProjectSA Eagle commenced sponsorship of the Raptor Conservation Group’s Kalahari Raptor Project in 1993. To datealmost R1 million has been allocated to the valuable work carried out in the Kalahari. The main objective of theproject is to change the attitude especially of stock farmers, to accommodate eagles and other species of birds ofprey on their farmland. The project’s boundaries cover mainly the Kalahari region of the Northern Cape Provincebut also extends to parts of the adjacent North West Province.The project includes the constant monitoring of the raptor population for any increase or decrease tendencies, aswell as monitoring changes in the population dynamics or composition.To communicate the conservation message, slide talks are presented to as many schools, farmer unions and otherinfluential organisations as possible. Field trips and workshops are presented, not only to members of thecommunity but also to members of the media.As an incentive, farm workers and school children are rewarded with “nest ransoms” for every active nest that’sreported. This provides a kind of guardianship while, at the same time, educating those involved about thebreeding behaviour of raptors.Algoa Raptor ProjectComplementary funding, in the amount of R50 000 was also provided to the Algoa Raptor Project. This project isentering a definitive scientific study period to gather data on the ecological balance on livestock farms in order tocompile sound management principles for livestock, predators and eagles. The ongoing conflict between livestockfarmers and eagles will be addressed parallel to the scientific study, by visits to farms that will include discussionswith landowners and physical intervention when required.SA Eagle National Eagle DayOctober 1 is known as SA Eagle National Eagle Day. This day is dedicated to educating various sectors within thebroader public about the importance of raptors.