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The regional population of Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus has been estimated at 40-50 mature individuals qualifying it as regionally Critically Endangered.
The species has a wide, albeit extremely fragmented, distribution from southern Somalia to northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). In southern Africa, there are three sub-populations; central Mozambique between the Zambezi River and Beira (Parker 1999), one in Zimbabwe, and one in the Maputo province of southern Mozambique and the coastal lowlands of Maputaland in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal (Chittenden 2005). The iSimangaliso Wetland Park forms the core of its range in the region, with birds also occurring in Ndumo and Mkuze game reserves. The species is not confined to these IBAs, with 35% of birds recorded in SABAP2 being recorded outside of the IBA network in the area. Birds have been recorded further south at uMlalazi Nature Reserve as well as Dhlinza and Ngoye forest reserves. Breeding at these sites has yet to be confirmed.
The global population is estimated at 670-2 000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2014). The regional population was previously estimated at between 35-45 mature individuals, although mention was made of c. 20 pairs in the St Lucia region of northern KwaZulu-Natal (Ginn et al. 1989). No birds have been recorded from Swaziland. No reliable data, including the number of breeding pairs, exist. Expert opinion, provided by the reviewers, placed the regional population in the region of 40-50 mature individuals. The confidence in this regional population estimate is low.
Globally, the population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction (BirdLife International 2014). There is no evidence of a decrease in numbers in the last 20 years and the establishment of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and subsequent listing as a World Heritage site in 1999, has ensured that large portions of the habitat that the species depends upon in the region is protected. The regional population is assumed to be stable in the absence of any evidence indicating declines. Confidence in this trend estimate is low.
Loss of habitat due to silviculture, agriculture and tourist developments in the previous century led to a corresponding decrease in the range and size of the Southern Banded Snake Eagle population in the region (Chittenden 2005). The establishment of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, as well as a number of private reserves in the Hluhluwe area, has partly ameliorated this situation. Fortunately the species has not been much persecuted by land-owners because it is an unobtrusive predator of small and medium-sized amphibians and reptiles (Brooke 1984), and it does not pose a threat to livestock- or game-farming operations. However, the portion of the sub-population in neighbouring Maputo Province, Mozambique is not as fortunate and is facing increasing pressure from accelerating habitat loss (Parker 1999). The threats affecting this species are understood and have, to a degree, largely ceased within the region.
There are no species-specific conservation actions currently in place for this species. From a habitat perspective, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which forms the core of its range in the region, is protected as a World Heritage Site. Mkuze, Ndumo and uMlalazi reserves are protected under the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Amendment Act No 5 of 1999. The species is currently listed as Vulnerable under the National Environmental Management Act of 2004.
A Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) is recommended, as is a Biodiversity Management Plan, culminating in a National Species Recovery Plan. Regular surveys to monitor the population should be conducted as should the monitoring of rates of forest clearance and degradation in buffer zones adjacent to core areas. Where possible the number of protected areas within its range should be increased.
* The confidence in the regional population size needs to be improved upon.
* The relationship between the three sub-populations in southern Africa needs to be ascertained.
* Breeding distribution, density and productivity need to be established.