Mogelijke predatie van Savannearend Aquila rapax op Afrikaanse Moerasschildpad Pelomedusa subrufa

Kopij G. 2024. A possible case of Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax predation on African Helmeted Turtle Pelomedusa subrafa. De Takkeling 32: 143-146. In November 2017 remains of an African Helmeted Turtle were found below the sitting post of a Tawny Eagle in a Mopane along the fringe of an extensive oshana in the Cuvelai Drainage System in north-central Namibia. Carapace and plastron were partly damaged and the body had been removed (length ~ 20 cm). The lack of dental impressions on the carapace suggested Tawny Eagle, rather than a mammalian carnivore, as the predator (unless it was found as carrion). In previous years Tawny Eagles had been repeatedly observed at the same site. African Helmeted Turtle may be particularly predation-prone when water levels in the oshanas drop during the dry season. To date, turtles, terrapins and tortoises (Testudines) have never been reported as prey of Tawny Eagle.