Newi Makhado proudly holds his bronze Eagle-Owl Award statuette and framed certificate, photograph by John Cooper

Dr Azwianewi (Newi) Makhado of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, received a prestigious Eagle-Owl Award from BirdLife South Africa at the South African Bird Fair held on 06 September for outstanding, long-term voluntary contributions to bird conservation.  One of only two prestigious Eagle-Owl Awards made for 2025, Newi received the award from Yvonne Pennington, Chairperson, BirdLife South Africa Board of Directors.  The award citation (see below) was read out by Mbali Zondo, Member, BirdLife South Africa Board of Directors.

Newi serves on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group and on the Non-target Species Advisory Panel of the Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project.  He a marine ornithologist who conducts and manages research on seabirds on South African islands, including on Marion Island’s albatrosses and petrels that are being attacked and killed by the introduced House Mice.

Newi Makhado is also South Africa’s ACAP National Contact Point for the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), a Member of the ACAP Advisory Committee representing South Africa, and of both the Population and Conservation Status Working Group and Seabird Bycatch Working Group that report to the Advisory Committee.

Newi Makhado visits the Mouse-Free Marion stand at the 2025 South African Bird Fair, photograph by John Cooper

Newi Makhado’s award citation follows:

“Dr Azwianewi (Newi) Makhado deservedly receives an Eagle-Owl Award in recognition of his significant contributions to seabird conservation and his support of BirdLife South Africa’s strategic objectives, particularly through the Seabird Conservation Programme and the 2025 Regional Red List assessment process.

Newi is a leading seabird ecologist and a dedicated conservation scientist with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, where he leads the Top Predator programme. In this role, he has made extensive contributions to the understanding and protection of South Africa’s marine top predators, notably seabirds such as penguins, albatrosses and petrels.

In 2024 and 2025, together with Rob Crawford, Newi co-authored 11 Red List assessments, applying his in-depth knowledge of long-term monitoring data, particularly for species breeding at the Prince Edward Islands. His technical input ensured that population trends and threats were accurately documented, and that conservation statuses were grounded in the best available evidence. He also provided guidance on broader seabird assessments, demonstrating his commitment to collaborative and rigorous science.

Beyond his formal duties, Newi has played a significant role in supporting BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Conservation Programme. He has facilitated access to data, engaged meaningfully in scientific dialogue and represented South Africa in international policy arenas such as the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. His ability to bridge science and policy has advanced regional and global conservation efforts for seabirds.

His passion for seabirds is captured in Birds on the Brink, where he reflects on decades of grueling yet purposeful fieldwork at Marion Island and on the Antarctic Peninsula. His research has illuminated the complex interactions between fur seals and seabirds, chronicled the alarming declines in Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins, and highlighted the multiple pressures faced by marine predators in changing ecosystems.

Since 2023, Newi has voluntarily contributed his time and expertise as a member of the BirdLife South Africa Conservation Advisory Committee, further supporting the organisation’s conservation efforts.

Newi’s contributions extend far beyond field surveys: he is a champion of conservation, a mentor to young scientists, and a powerful advocate in international forums. His support of BirdLife South Africa has been instrumental to our work and mission. For these reasons, he is a worthy recipient of an Eagle-Owl Award.”

MFM extends its congratulations to Newi Makhado and looks forward to continuing to work with him.

Dr Michael Riffel with his Owl Award, photograph by John Cooper

Dr Michael Riffel, Managing Director of the independent scientific consultancy Rifcon and a member of the MFM Non-Profit Company Fundraising Committee, received an Owl Award (one of nine awarded each year) from BirdLife South Africa at the 2025 Bird Fair from Yvonne Pennington.  Dr Riffel, along with his son, Tom, have generously supported the MFM Project with a USD55 000 donation through their Germany-based non-profit Caring for Conservation Fund.  In their personal capacities they have sponsored 152 hectares, placing them on the MFM Honour Roll in the top-tier Wandering Albatross category.

From left: Yvonne Pennington, Chairperson, BirdLife South Africa Board of Directors, Dr Michael Riffel holding his award, Mbali Zondo, Member, BirdLife South Africa Board of Directors and Mark Anderson, CEO, BirdLife South Africa, photograph by Kurt Martin

Michael Riffel’s award citation follows:

“Rifcon [is] the sole funder of BirdLife South Africa’s Birds and Agrochemicals Project.  In addition to its financial generosity, the company selflessly gives of its time, actively participating in the project and training the Project Manager.  This project spans many landscapes and bird species, and its impact will be immeasurable.  With Rifcon expertise, we have highlighted the acute and reproductive toxicity risks of active ingredients used in South African agrochemical products to farmland birds.  These findings will be used to improve farming practices, sustainability schemes and product registration processes, and conserve the environment, biodiversity and human health.

Dr Michael Riffel, the Managing Director of Rifcon, receives this award for his company’s support of BirdLife South Africa’s Birds and Agrochemicals Project, and also for his exceptional support of the Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project.

His generosity is demonstrated by direct sponsorship of more than R1-million through his Caring for Conservation (C4C) fund.  Beyond financial support, Michael is an active and dedicated member of the Mouse-Free Marion Project Non-Profit Company fundraising committee, where his strategic insights and commitment have strengthened our initiatives.

Michael’s impact also extends to furthering the project’s global reach.  He has facilitated the translation of the Mouse-Free Marion Project website into German, French, Spanish and Japanese, thus increasing the project’s international footprint and fostering greater awareness.

In addition, he has proactively pursued opportunities to publish articles about the Mouse-Free Marion Project and the Flock to Marion AGAIN! 2025 voyage in German publications, stimulating valuable interest in our work among new audiences.

Michael’s passionate involvement embodies the spirit of conservation partnership, making him an outstanding recipient of this award.”

Michael Riffel gets a hug from Yvonne Pennington, photograph by John Cooper

No less than five persons associated with the MFM Project in various ways have now received Owl Awards from BirdLife South Africa.  Carol Jacobs of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment serves on several MFM Project Committees.  She received her Owl Award in 2023.  Romario Valentine, then aged 12, received an Owlet awarded to young individuals under 18 for his efforts in sponsoring 57 hectares through several online appeals in 2022.  Jim Rankin, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon, received his award in 2024 for his efforts within the club sponsoring 100 hectares.  The MFM Project is gratified that it and its supporters are recognized in this important way.

With thanks to Clare Neal, BirdLife South Africa.

John Cooper. News Correspondent, Mouse-Free Marion Project, 11 September 2025

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Northern Giant Petrel chick on Marion Island, watercolour by Andrea Siemt of Artists and Biologist Unite for Nature (ABUN) for the MFM Project, after a photograph by Liezl Pretorius

The Mouse-Free Marion Project is a registered non-profit company (No. 2020/922433/08) in South Africa, established to eradicate the invasive albatross-killing mice on Marion Island in the Southern Ocean.  The project was initiated by BirdLife South Africa and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.  Upon successful completion, the project will restore the critical breeding habitat of over two million seabirds, many globally threatened, and improve the island’s resilience to a warming climate.  For more information or to support the project please visit mousefreemarion.org.