Vultures species under threat in the Kruger National Park

That is the personal opinion of Don English, SANParks regional ranger at Nxanatseni in the KNP. English, a second-generation ranger who grew up in the park, says the rate at which vultures are dying because of poisoning is alarming. “If nothing is done to combat poisoning in the next five years, there won’t be any vultures left in the park. In the last five years, we have recorded almost 2000 birds dying from poisoning,” he says.

Recently 86 vultures died from poisoning and only a few were saved and rehabilitated in the Mopani Camp area. The carcasses were burned to protect wildlife that may come into contact with the poisoned vultures. “Poachers find poisoning a quick and easy way of poaching animals,” English says.

Also read: Fight is on for vultures’ lives after poisoning

According to him the reason poachers target vultures is because their behaviour of circling prey alert rangers to a poaching incident. “The birds fly around the poaching scene and when rangers spot them, they can rush to the area, and may even apprehend poachers fleeing the scene.

“Vultures threaten the success of a poacher’s modus operandi and therefore want the birds killed,” adds English. It is believed that regulatory measures to curb buying over-thecounter poisons can help to prevent poisonings. “In areas such as Giyani, it is believed that it can be bought on the streets.” English concludes by saying harsher sentences by the judiciary for poachers will help to deter them.