“Fergie” is an African Crowned Eagle at the Dullstroom Birds of Prey Centre, a centre that helps to rescue, rehabilitate and care for injured birds of prey in South Africa.
In a series on the world's most iconic birds, the New World Wealth (NWW) reviews current and future eco-friendly trends among the world’s wealthy, including:
Eco-estate living:
As the world’s wild spaces diminish, eco-estates are playing an increasingly big role in birdlife conservation globally. At the same time, affluent homeowners are increasingly being drawn to such estates due to the environmental and healthcare benefits.
New World Wealth estimates that by 2050 over 30% of the world’s high net worth individual (HNWI) population will either live or have second homes on eco-estates. In countries with large numbers of estates, such as South Africa, this percentage could reach as high as 60%.
READ: Wow! Homes worth over R100m in SA
Solar Roofs:
Tesla’s solar roof is expected to become increasingly popular over the coming decades, especially among HNWIs in North America, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Notably, a solar roof is much more aesthetically pleasing than solar panels and also generates more power. Eco-estates are expected to lead this new trend.
SEE: Here is how to choose the right electricity backup and insurer
Top eco-estates for 2022:
New World Wealth’s top eco-estate picks for 2022 are listed below (in no particular order). Many of the world’s top eco-estates are based in South Africa, which is a global pioneer in eco-estate living.
1. Zimbali Coastal Estate
2. Princes Grant Estate
3. The Yellowstone Club
4. Highland Gate
5. Fancourt
6. Steyn City
7. Val de Vie
8. Jacks Point
9. Zapotal
10. Wyuna Preserve
Notably, Zimbali Coastal Estate and Princes Grant Estate are both home to Crowned Eagles and have been instrumental in helping to conserve the species for over 20 years. These estates are both located on Kwazulu Natal’s North Coast in South Africa.
Benefits of living on eco-estates:
Living on eco-estates has several benefits. One such benefit is the installation of owl boxes, which encourage owls to live on the estates. Notably, owls work as a natural form of pest control and reduce the need for dangerous pesticides. Notably, one owl can kill up to 10 rodents a day. Eco solutions work with several South African estates in this area, including Steyn City.
Another benefit of eco-estates is they leave dead trees for birds to nest in. Many of the world’s most iconic birds including barbets, woodpeckers, hornbills, parrots, and kingfishers depend on dead trees to nest as they find it difficult to bore holes into live trees (as the wood is too hard). Most eco-estates have bio-corridors and wilderness zones that preserve dead and dying trees.
Eco-estates promote environmentally friendly household solutions such as sustainable energy (solar panels and solar roofs) and water recycling. Notably, Val de Vie in South Africa is planning to build its own solar plant.
Being surrounded by nature and birds provides residents with several unquantifiable healthcare and environmental benefits. It also gives them more daily activity options.
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