Latest news with #Wolter
Daily Maverick
08-08-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Flight plan — 23 vulture chicks hatch at Eastern Cape reserve, marking rewilding milestone
A year after relocating 160 vultures across more than 1,000 kilometres, non-profit organisation Vulpro has announced the birth of more than 20 chicks at its breeding centre at Shamwari Private Game Reserve — a critical step in the fight to save Africa's rapidly declining vulture populations. Just over a year after completing South Africa's largest-ever vulture relocation, conservation non-profit Vulpro is celebrating a breakthrough breeding season — with 23 vulture chicks hatched at its new facility at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. The chicks, all born since 1 July, mark a significant milestone for the species and for Vulpro's Captive Breeding Programme, which relocated 160 birds across 1,042 kilometres from a facility in Hartbeespoort to purpose-built enclosures at Shamwari in 2024. On Thursday, Vulpro CEO Kerri Wolter said of the 23 hatchlings, 20 were Cape vultures and three were white-backed vultures, with 'still more to come. We're hoping to have five white-backed this year,' she said. Vultures in crisis The relocation and breeding success form part of a broader effort to prevent the collapse of Africa's vulture populations, which face a perfect storm of threats — from habitat loss and poisoning to powerline and wind turbine collisions. Vultures are also naturally slow to reproduce, with some species reaching sexual maturity only after seven years and laying just one egg per year. Even under ideal wild conditions, only around 5% of chicks survive to adulthood. In some parts of South Africa, local extinctions have been recorded. 'It's important to note that when vultures reduce to critical levels, they also stop breeding,' warned Wolter. 'We need to prevent that whilst simultaneously addressing the threats.' Teaming up For Shamwari general manager Joe Cloete, teaming up with Vulpro was a no-brainer. He said, 'It's all about conserving a vanishing way of life. We've brought back various other animal species that used to occur in the Eastern Cape. The vultures are no different. 'You need vultures in the greater ecosystem because they clean the African bush. They form a very important cog in the whole ecosystem. He said Cape vultures and Egyptian vultures were indigenous to the Eastern Cape. 'It's just part of what we do at Shamwari to rewild this area. We brought back the flightless dung beetle and the red-billed oxpecker, and the Cape vulture is no different.' Wolter said the hatchlings would be released in provinces where they originated, with the white-backed vultures going to the northern parts of South Africa and the Cape vultures set to be released in the Eastern Cape. Cloete said it was fascinating to see where the vultures flew once they'd been released. He said after incubation and hatching, chicks were returned to their 'original mom for six months, and then they go into a pre-release enclosure for about six months' before being released into the wild with transmitters so their movements can be followed. 'You know, people actually follow their movements … there are all sorts of funny apps you can go on and you can find out where the birds are moving,' said Cloete. Grounded but giving back Vulpro exclusively uses non-releasable birds for breeding. These birds, while unable to return to the wild because of injuries or disabilities, can still contribute to their species' survival through reproduction. Wolter said, 'What's so special about our programme is that all our non-releasable disabled birds are able to still have value. They're not just sitting in an enclosure being viewed or kept on an asset register with a price tag on their heads; they are used to contribute to their wild counterparts' survival.' She said this approach eliminated the ethical concerns of removing healthy wild birds from already fragile populations while providing a meaningful purpose for injured raptors that would otherwise require lifelong care. Breeding, behaviour and biology Wolter said managing a successful breeding programme required an intricate understanding of vulture behaviour and biology. The birds are monogamous, with breeding pairs sharing responsibilities for nest building, incubation and chick rearing over a 54-day incubation period. 'Sometimes they fight over who's breeding the chick or who's incubating the egg. They fight for those responsibilities. To me, that is quite cute. Breeding always shows me how fragile and how gentle they are,' she said. The programme employs sophisticated techniques, including double clutching, where removing the first egg can stimulate birds to lay a second one, effectively doubling reproductive output. Careful record-keeping ensures genetic lineages are maintained, and chicks are returned to their biological parents after assisted hatching when necessary. 'The importance of any captive breeding programme is very, very stringent record-keeping. You know which egg and which chick needs to go back to which pair,' explained Wolter. Lessons from Asia's vulture crisis Vulpro's approach, she said, drew crucial lessons from the Asian vulture crisis, where delayed action nearly resulted in complete extinction. Asian conservation efforts required capturing healthy wild birds for breeding programmes after populations had already crashed. 'If anything, what we learned from that breeding programme is that it is never too early to start a founding population of species before you have to take birds out of the wild,' said Wolter. 'The success of your breeding programme takes years to nurture.' DM
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Cloned - New poisoning tactics threaten South Africa's endangered vultures
More than 100 vultures, all endangered, died in a mass poisoning in the Kruger National Park. Image: Supplied. SOUTH Africa is facing what conservationists call a growing and coordinated threat to endangered wildlife, following two mass vulture poisoning incidents in the space of just over a week — one in Kruger National Park and another in Lionspruit Game Reserve, Mpumalanga. Combined, these events have killed over 220 vultures, a devastating blow to already fragile populations. Experts warn that such poisonings are not isolated but point to an emerging poaching tactic using laced carcasses to eliminate vultures — which often alert authorities to wildlife crimes — and possibly divert attention from larger operations. On 18 May, VulPro and Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre confirmed the deaths of over 100 vultures at Lionspruit near Marloth Park. The site was identified via GPS signals from previously rehabilitated vultures. Responders found dozens of birds dead around a poisoned warthog carcass. There were no survivors. The victims included 92 White-backed Vultures (90% breeding adults), nine Hooded Vultures, and one White-headed Vulture — all Critically Endangered. No body parts were removed, indicating the motive was likely not linked to traditional medicine practices. 'The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation,' said Kerri Wolter, CEO of VulPro. 'We are genuinely terrified of what next is going to occur.' Samples were collected for toxicological testing, which may lead to legal action. Wolter has appealed to all rehabilitation centres in the Lowveld to halt vulture releases until threats are assessed. 'This is not just about one event. It's about a systemic threat to our natural balance,' she added. Just days earlier, on 7 May, a similarly horrific incident took place in Kruger National Park's Mahlangeni Section. SANParks has confirmed it as one of the largest mass vulture poisonings in Southern Africa, with 123 birds killed and 84 rescued in what became a landmark emergency operation. According to JP Louw, SANParks Head of Communications, 'The incident is one of the largest seen in the park. A total of 116 vultures were found dead at the scene.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 100 Vultures were found dead just a week after the Kruger National Park incident Image: Supplied Rangers discovered the poisoning at a laced elephant carcass. Two vultures were barely alive and received on-site treatment. A multi-agency effort followed, including teams from Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner and Wildscapes Veterinary Services, and SANParks aerial support. This marked the first time SANParks deployed helicopters for a poisoning rescue of this scale. Eighty-four vultures — including White-backed, Cape, and Hooded species — were rescued. Most were transported via the EWT's specialised vulture ambulance or airlifted to SANParks' Phalaborwa K9 facility. A remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved. 'This marks one of the most extensive coordinated response and rescue efforts to date,' Louw said, noting that early detection systems and NGO collaboration played a critical role. These events form part of a wider, growing crisis: the use of agricultural poisons in poaching to target both vultures and species like lions, whose body parts are in demand for muthi. 'This is a setback for the vulture population in the Greater Kruger landscape,' said Louw. 'SANParks continues working with agencies to address this rise in poisoning events.' Despite the scale of the event, SANParks has not yet issued a formal appeal to the National Wildlife Poisoning Prevention Working Group (NWPPWG). Peter Mbelengwa, head of communication and advocacy at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, confirmed that the department is aware of the incidents 'SANParks will continue to update the Department on the progress of investigations through official channels.' Mbelengwa said the department has been actively involved in efforts to address wildlife poisoning and is committed to regulating the sale and use of agrochemicals. 'The National Wildlife Poisoning Prevention Working Group (NWPPWG) is working to ensure that agricultural pesticides are responsibly imported, sold, stored, and disposed of. Our goal is to eradicate the illegal use of pesticides and prevent their use in wildlife crimes,' Mbelengwa explained. 'The devastating impacts of poisoning on vultures highlight the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts,' Mbelengwa continued. Vultures are also listed on the endangered species list. Image: Supplied 'South Africa's vultures are facing significant threats, with three of the seven resident species listed as Critically Endangered. Without effective conservation actions, these species could become extinct in the near future.' In response to this growing crisis, Mbelengwa pointed to the recent publication of a Multi-species Biodiversity Management Plan for Vultures, which is now being implemented. 'This plan, developed by the Minister, aims to recover vulture populations to acceptable levels by 2033,' Mbelengwa said. 'It is vital that we work both nationally and internationally to address the challenges vultures face.' 'We will continue to support SANParks and NGOs in their efforts to detect and respond to wildlife poisoning. Our commitment to protecting South Africa's biodiversity remains unwavering,' he concluded. Weekend Argus
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
New poisoning tactics threaten South Africa's endangered vultures
More than 100 vultures, all endangered, died in a mass poisoning in the Kruger National Park. Image: Supplied. South Africa is facing what conservationists call a growing and coordinated threat to endangered wildlife, following two mass vulture poisoning incidents in the space of just over a week — one in Kruger National Park and another in Lionspruit Game Reserve, Mpumalanga. Combined, these events have killed over 220 vultures, a devastating blow to already fragile populations. Experts warn that such poisonings are not isolated but point to an emerging poaching tactic using laced carcasses to eliminate vultures — which often alert authorities to wildlife crimes — and possibly divert attention from larger operations. On 18 May, VulPro and Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre confirmed the deaths of over 100 vultures at Lionspruit near Marloth Park. The site was identified via GPS signals from previously rehabilitated vultures. Responders found dozens of birds dead around a poisoned warthog carcass. There were no survivors. The victims included 92 White-backed Vultures (90% breeding adults), nine Hooded Vultures, and one White-headed Vulture — all Critically Endangered. No body parts were removed, indicating the motive was likely not linked to traditional medicine practices. 'The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation,' said Kerri Wolter, CEO of VulPro. 'We are genuinely terrified of what next is going to occur.' Samples were collected for toxicological testing, which may lead to legal action. Wolter has appealed to all rehabilitation centres in the Lowveld to halt vulture releases until threats are assessed. 'This is not just about one event. It's about a systemic threat to our natural balance,' she added. Just days earlier, on 7 May, a similarly horrific incident took place in Kruger National Park's Mahlangeni Section. SANParks has confirmed it as one of the largest mass vulture poisonings in Southern Africa, with 123 birds killed and 84 rescued in what became a landmark emergency operation. According to JP Louw, SANParks Head of Communications, 'The incident is one of the largest seen in the park. A total of 116 vultures were found dead at the scene.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 100 Vultures were found dead just a week after the Kruger National Park incident Image: Supplied Rangers discovered the poisoning at a laced elephant carcass. Two vultures were barely alive and received on-site treatment. A multi-agency effort followed, including teams from Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner and Wildscapes Veterinary Services, and SANParks aerial support. This marked the first time SANParks deployed helicopters for a poisoning rescue of this scale. Eighty-four vultures — including White-backed, Cape, and Hooded species — were rescued. Most were transported via the EWT's specialised vulture ambulance or airlifted to SANParks' Phalaborwa K9 facility. A remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved. 'This marks one of the most extensive coordinated response and rescue efforts to date,' Louw said, noting that early detection systems and NGO collaboration played a critical role. These events form part of a wider, growing crisis: the use of agricultural poisons in poaching to target both vultures and species like lions, whose body parts are in demand for muthi. 'This is a setback for the vulture population in the Greater Kruger landscape,' said Louw. 'SANParks continues working with agencies to address this rise in poisoning events.' Despite the scale of the event, SANParks has not yet issued a formal appeal to the National Wildlife Poisoning Prevention Working Group (NWPPWG). Peter Mbelengwa, head of communication and advocacy at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, confirmed that the department is aware of the incidents 'SANParks will continue to update the Department on the progress of investigations through official channels.' Mbelengwa said the department has been actively involved in efforts to address wildlife poisoning and is committed to regulating the sale and use of agrochemicals. 'The National Wildlife Poisoning Prevention Working Group (NWPPWG) is working to ensure that agricultural pesticides are responsibly imported, sold, stored, and disposed of. Our goal is to eradicate the illegal use of pesticides and prevent their use in wildlife crimes,' Mbelengwa explained. 'The devastating impacts of poisoning on vultures highlight the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts,' Mbelengwa continued. Vultures are also listed on the endangered species list. Image: Supplied 'South Africa's vultures are facing significant threats, with three of the seven resident species listed as Critically Endangered. Without effective conservation actions, these species could become extinct in the near future.' In response to this growing crisis, Mbelengwa pointed to the recent publication of a Multi-species Biodiversity Management Plan for Vultures, which is now being implemented. 'This plan, developed by the Minister, aims to recover vulture populations to acceptable levels by 2033,' Mbelengwa said. 'It is vital that we work both nationally and internationally to address the challenges vultures face.' 'We will continue to support SANParks and NGOs in their efforts to detect and respond to wildlife poisoning. Our commitment to protecting South Africa's biodiversity remains unwavering,' he concluded. Weekend Argus
India Today
25-04-2025
- Science
- India Today
No one loves a vulture: Conservationists are trying to change the notion
Conservationists in Africa are trying to save the endangered vultures, which are neglected because of their image. They are usually associated with death, and are among the least loved animals in the are the scavengers of the ecosystem. They help in saving ecosystem worth $1.8 billion a year in some parts of Southern Africa, according to the report released by BirdLife International are not up there on the pretty scale. And they are not popular. But we know they are very useful,' Fadzai Matsvimbo, an extinction prevention coordinator at BirdLife International told the Associated Press. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, six of the 11 vulture species found on the African continent are listed as endangered or critically endangered. And even some species have declined by 90%.The research focused on Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and revealed the role of vultures in cleaning up the ecosystems, reducing the chance of disease spreading and the presence of pests like rats and feral dogs, which has great benefits for communities. Vultures are the scavengers of the ecosystem. (Photo: Getty) advertisementThe anatomy of vultures – the strong acidic stomach - prevents them from contracting food poisoning from any in India over the last 30 years, there has been a drastic loss of vultures. Half a million people died from the spread of bacteria and infections in the absence of vultures last said vultures in Africa are also used as 'sentinels' by game rangers because they are often the first to spot a dead animal and can lead rangers to where poachers might be active. They have even proven useful in helping farmers locate dead or injured of vultures can die from a single poisoned carcass, as they feed on carrion – dead animals. Collisions with power lines in Africa are also one of the reasons for their death, apart from belief-based reasons.'Our work is to change the mindsets of people,' Wolter said. 'For them to see vultures and think, wow, that is amazing.'The researchers also mentioned the role played by moviemakers in depicting vultures. 'I love watching 'The Lion King,' but every time they do the vulture part, my heart breaks,' said Matsvimbo.'Vultures are never portrayed positively. I have a bone to chew with these moviemakers. Or should that be bone to pick?'Rather than stigmatising vultures, understanding their role in nature conservation can benefit all living organisms, including humans, Watch
