Hiking for vulture conservation
Invicta has partnered with Pathfinders SA and Mama Alles to make the Valley of the Vultures Conservation Hike possible, hoping to raise R20 000.
The Ballito-based Invicta Wildlife Fund invites conservationists and bird lovers to join the non-profit organisation (NPO) on a two-day hike in the Drakensberg in support of vulture conservation.
Founded by local couple Richard and Lauren McEnery, the fund was established in 2021 to raise funds towards protecting Africa’s wildlife.
The hike to Bushman’s Nek next Saturday and Sunday will include a visit to a vulture feeding station.
Six of the species are listed as critically endangered.
Invicta has partnered with Pathfinders SA and Mama Alles to make the Valley of the Vultures Conservation Hike possible, hoping to raise R20 000.
Lauren spent a great deal of her childhood in the bush with family, developing a love for African wildlife and conservation.
“Our aim is to raise funds for and awareness of the critically endangered vultures in the Drakensberg. All funds raised will be donated to Wildlife ACT for the incredible work they do with Project Vulture,” she said.
Project Vulture works to protect, and conserve threatened vulture species through research, education, protection, preservation and recovery operations.
They warn that diminishing vulture population numbers and ever-growing threats have led to a critical point in the species’ survival, particularly the Bearded and Cape Vulture species in the Maloti-Drakensberg region. Extinction is a real possibility.
According to the Vulture Conservation Foundation, the Bearded Vulture population was estimated at only 352-390 individuals, about 100 pairs, in 2020. A 2021 study estimated there were about 9 600-12 800 mature Cape Vulture left.
Common threats include lack of food and illegal use of poisoned baits. The drug Diclofenac, used to treat arthritis in cattle, also causes kidney failure in vultures that consume carcasses of treated cattle.
Electrocution through collision with cables on electrical pylons is, however, the most common cause of death in ringed birds.
Next weekend’s hike is 11km long up to Tarn Cave and back, after which hikers will visit Wildlife ACT and the vulture feeding station in Underberg.
The package, priced at R2 000, includes a guide, dinner, breakfast and donation to Invicta. Hiking gear will be available for hire.
Visit invictawf.org or email info@invictawf.org.
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