Save our Vultures!

Over 100 critically endangered vultures have been found dead in a devastating poisoning event at Lionspruit Game Reserve near Marloth Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa. This incident, described by conservationists as catastrophic, includes the deaths of 92 White-backed vultures—90% of them breeding adults—nine Hooded vultures, and one adult male White-headed vulture.

This event follows a similar incident two weeks prior, where 123 vultures were found dead in Kruger National Park, with 84 of them saved from poisoning in the nick of time. The tragic discovery at Lionspruit was made thanks to GPS tracking devices fitted to rehabilitated vultures previously released by VulPro, Africa’s only dedicated vulture conservation organization, and the Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre based in Hectorspruit.

Upon arrival, the team found a harrowing scene: dozens of vultures collapsed around a warthog carcass, with no survivors in sight. Significantly, no body parts had been removed, ruling out harvesting for traditional medicine. Two additional carcasses were spotted from the air, with support from SANParks, who joined the search efforts.

Kerri Wolter, CEO of VulPro, stated, "The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation. With multiple incidents taking place in various regions across the Lowveld recently, we suspect they are aimed at distracting us from a bigger and even more devastating event soon. We are calling on the government and the national vulture poisoning working group to address the crisis before it’s too late. To lose this number of vultures, let alone adult breeding birds during breeding season, is an ecological crisis. We are genuinely terrified of what is going to occur next."

Impact and Implications

The impact of such events stretches far beyond the immediate deaths. Vultures are essential to ecosystems, serving as natural waste removers that help prevent disease outbreaks. Their rapid decline is a serious blow to biodiversity and undoes decades of conservation work.

Broader Context of Vulture Poisoning in Africa

Vulture poisoning is not uncommon in southern Africa, where they are targeted by poachers because they draw unwanted attention to their illegal activities. The birds' heads are also used in traditional medicine, according to wildlife groups. In the latest incidents, more than 50 white-backed vultures were found dead in Botswana's northern Chobe district, while about 100 more were discovered in South Africa's Kruger National Park.

The recent mass poisoning of vultures at Lionspruit Game Reserve is a stark reminder of the increasing threat that poisonings pose to critically endangered vulture populations. Conservationists are calling for urgent action from the government and the national vulture poisoning working group to address this crisis before it is too late. The loss of these vultures, especially during breeding season, represents a significant ecological crisis and underscores the need for robust conservation efforts to protect these vital scavengers.

Our company strongly condemns these terrible poisoning efforts and supports the conservation efforts of Southern Africa's wildlife, we therefor contributes to rehabilitation centers as much as possible, please join us in these efforts and Donate for Sustainable Tourism here: https://www.amatungulu.com/donate

vulture