A poisoning incident in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has resulted in the death of more than 100 vultures. A further 84 have been rescued by a joint team of SANParks rangers and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) officials.
The incident is one of the largest of its kind ever recorded in the park, according to Isaac Phaahla, the KNP’s spokesperson.
He said the poisoning, which occurred in the Mahlangeni Section of the park, was detected when the EWT’s pioneering wildlife poisoning surveillance and detection system triggered an alert at 06:05 on Tuesday, May 6, flagging suspicious activity in a remote section of the park.
Within hours, a joint SANParks and EWT team mobilised, arriving at the site at about 08:20. There they discovered the grim reality – a mass poisoning incident involving hundreds of vultures, the result of an elephant carcass laced with highly toxic agrochemical pesticides, laid by poachers to harvest body parts for the illegal wildlife trade,” Phaahla said.
A total of 123 vultures were found at the scene. Of the 102 white-backed vultures, 20 Cape vultures, and one lappet-faced vulture – all listed as endangered or critically endangered species – 116 were already dead when the team arrived. T
he initial responders, six SANParks rangers and two EWT officials, found another two vultures alive, but severely affected, roughly 500m from the poisoned elephant carcass.
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“This marks one of the largest vulture poisoning incidents in southern Africa, and the most extensive co-ordinated response effort and rescues to date. Over 20 individuals across conservation, veterinary and enforcement sectors played a role in the rescue and response. Without the rapid detection by the EWT’s wildlife poisoning detection and surveillance system, and the unprecedented co-operation between NGOs, rangers, vets and SANParks aerial and ranger units, many more birds would have been lost.”
“Those that were found alive were immediately treated, using emergency vulture first aid – atropine, activated charcoal, and fluid therapy. Reinforcements were swiftly deployed. Support teams from the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner Veterinary Services and Wildscapes Veterinary Services mobilised within hours, while SANParks activated ranger and aerial support, including the Hope for Wildlife helicopter and additional logistics support, making this the first time SANParks helicopters were formally used in a wildlife poisoning rescue of this scale,” said Phaahla.
A remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved among those found alive.
Phaahla added that this horrific incident is part of a broader crisis unfolding across southern Africa – the escalating use of poisons in wildlife poaching. Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species, not just vultures, but also lions.
The body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine or muthi. This incident is a setback to the vulture population in the Greater Kruger Landscape which is trying to recover from similar incidents in the past.
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In an effort to curb poisoning of vultures, SANParks is collaborating with various agencies and institutions to address the current increase in incidents.
The latest operation highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing this problem. The recovery and treatment of the surviving vultures would not have been possible if such partnerships were not in place.
We commend every individual who responded to this tragedy. Their courage, skill and relentless commitment transformed a potential extinction-level event into one of the most successful vulture rescues ever recorded. The operation saw helicopters making multiple trips between the incident site and Phalaborwa throughout the day to assist in transporting the vultures,” concluded Phaahla.
• 84 vultures, including the white-backed, Cape and hooded vultures, were rescued.
• 45 were transported by the EWT’s vulture ambulance, a specialised mobile unit designed to stabilise poisoned birds en route to treatment facilities.
• 39 more were airlifted by helicopter to the SANParks K9 facility in Phalaborwa for immediate monitoring.
• A final group was transported later that night to Moholoholo for continued intensive care.
• Teams, including vets from Wildscapes and Briner Veterinary Services, as well as the Moholoholo team, worked throughout the night to stabilise each bird and keep them alive.
