CRADOCK NEWS - Conservationists at Vulpro, Africa's only vulture-focused conservation organisation, are celebrating the sighting of over 80 wild Cape vultures on a farm 40km outside Mountain Zebra National Park last week.
After not seeing vultures in this region, Spitskop in the Cradock district, for over 30 years, news of the sighting comes as a huge relief.
It speaks to the incredible work Vulpro is doing to improve survival rates of vultures, that have been poisoned and hunted to near-extinction with some species already ceasing to exist.
Fight against extinction
Since the 1980s, Cape vulture numbers have been steadily declining. Between 1992 and 2007, populations in South Africa reduced by 60 to 70% and were first categorised as 'threatened'.
By 2021, the total population size was estimated at 9 600 to 12 800 mature individuals, which raised their status to 'vulnerable', showing their numbers were improving.
However, vulture numbers overall are dramatically declining with some species experiencing reductions of up to 80% in recent decades, leading to what is termed the 'African Vulture Crisis'.
CEO and founder of Vulpro Kerri Wolter says, "While we are starting to see some vultures return to historical roosting sites, the rate of decline is still shocking and very worrying, which is why we can't stop our conservation efforts now.
Sightings like this one near Graaff-Reinet shows that the work we are doing is making a difference, which motivates us to keep working around the clock to curb further vulture species declines."
Globally there are 23 vulture species, divided into two distinct families. Accipitridae (Old World vultures) with 16 species found across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Cathartidae (New World vultures) are native to the Americas and the Caribbean.
The 16 species of Old World vultures are spread across nine genera. Of these, nine species are either resident in Africa or migrate to and from the continent.
Only three species - the white-headed vulture, hooded vulture, and Cape vulture - are exclusive to Africa with the Cape vulture resident to Southern Africa alone.
In January, Vulpro announced that wild vultures were spotted feeding on the remains of a carcass at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve for the first time, almost one year after Vulpro relocated its rehabilitation centre and captive breeding facility to the reserve.
The vultures' return to Shamwari and other regions of the Eastern Cape is a major step forward in their recovery.
Important for ecosystem
Vultures play a major role in the ecosystem and their absence from the world would have significant ecological and health implications.
Disposing of carcasses quickly, they can prevent the spread of diseases like anthrax, botulism, and rabies among wildlife and humans.
Their absence would also lead to an increase in other scavengers, such as feral dogs and rats, which are less efficient at disposing of carcasses and can carry diseases harmful to humans and livestock.
Since 2007, Vulpro has provided specialised medical care to treat vultures with injuries, diseases and poisoning, achieving a 75% survival rate for treated birds.
Once stabilised, they focus on restoring the vultures' physical strength and natural behaviours, preparing them for a successful return to the wild.
To further protect vultures and prevent their extinction, the team of conservationists and volunteers also focus on research, threat mitigation, education and awareness programmes.
Since 2013 Vulpro's captive breeding programme, which focuses on non-releasable birds that can still produce offspring, has released over 78 captive-bred vultures into the wild, contributing significantly to population recovery.
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