On the Move - Some of the World’s Biggest Birds of Prey Begin Their Relocation Journey
Vultures are defined by National Geographic as ‘large, social raptors’, forgetting to add that they are one of the world’s most majestic flying creatures and are surprisingly found on every continent except for Antarctica and Australia. Supporting 23 species, they are divided into ‘New World’ vultures from the Americas and ‘Old World’ vultures from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Sadly, of the 23 vultures species, 14 are now reported to be globally threatened with extinction, and in the last 50 or so years, populations of 7 of the 11 African vulture species have plummeted by 80–97%, and four species are now known to be ‘critically endangered’.
Helping to rectify some of these startling numbers is Vulpro.
Known as one of Tusk’s most valued project partners, this charity is on a two-year mission to undertake the largest vulture relocation ever, which began at the end of January 2024 with the relocation of 160 vultures.
Vulpro is the only vulture conservation facility of its kind on the continent. Its mission? To spearhead the population restocking and supplementation in order to address the severe decline in African vulture species- one of the continent’s greatest challenges.
Across the world, vultures are known to form an important ecological component of our natural environment, cleaning up dead carcasses and decreasing the spread of some diseases. The relationship between vultures and people is also a venerable one — vultures played roles in some early societies, including the Egyptian and the Hindu societies; vultures continue to be used as symbols or metaphors in modern societies; and vulture body parts are used in muthi (Zulu for spiritually curative medicine prescribed by a traditional healer).
However, as humans have expanded over the South African landscape, today, vultures face an unprecedented onslaught from human activities. The many threats they face include electrocutions and collisions with electrical structures, poisonings, land-use changes, a decrease in food availability, and exposure to toxicity through veterinary drugs.
Therefore, the plan to relocate well over 100 vultures has never been more important.
Thanks to an approved authorisation from South Africa’s Provincial and National governing bodies, the first batch of vultures were transported from Vulpro’s Hartebeespoort Dam facility over 1,000km away to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, located in the Eastern Cape. This protected environment covers 250km2, and Since 1992, a range of wildlife has been reintroduced. It is now the first big-five game reserve in the Eastern Cape. Plans have already begun to create a bespoke vulture facility adjacent to its existing Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Vulpro CEO, Kerri Wolter, says that the partnership with Shamwari will create a safe area for both in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes.
“Vultures with their important and efficient ecosystem services are a significant addition to the ethos Shamwari has created in restoring a natural and well-balanced ecosystem. In addition, the stability and financial support that Shamwari brings provides sustainability to Vulpro’s breeding programme and the future of vultures in South Africa”.
While this was set to be one of the most challenging missions Vulpro had ever undertaken, the team had never been more excited, and with key supporters such as Tusk helping the cause, rising to the challenge was never in doubt.
