Conservationists Release Rehabilitated Vultures Back Into The Wild On South African Mountain
The birds were set free on the Magaliesburg Mountains in northern South Africa, where there is an existing vulture colony. Vultures generally are not well-loved because of their appearance and because they feed entirely on carrion–or dead animal carcasses–and are often associated with death. But conservationists say these scavengers are critical for cleaning up ecosystems and preventing animal and human disease outbreaks. Because of their eating habits, vultures are also susceptible to mass poisoning when poachers target other animals, and they can die in their hundreds from a poisoned carcass. Six of Africa's other native vulture species are listed as endangered or critically endangered. The Cape Vulture was removed from the endangered list in 2021 after successful conservation efforts but is still classified as vulnerable. The vulture release was organized by Vulpro and the Humane World for Animals organization.
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