Among the 66 dead birds were 50 globally endangered African white-backed vultures, 14 hooded vultures, also globally endangered, as well as a Cape vulture that is globally endangered, regionally endangered and near-endemic, reports The Citizen.
The first person on the scene was Birds of Prey manager of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), Andre Botha. According to him many of the birds were adults of breeding age, which will have severe consequences and cause the loss or break-up of several breeding pairs at the very early stages of the breeding season, which has recently commenced. If even one member of a breeding pair dies a whole generation is killed.”
Botha added every vulture species was categorised as endangered in the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s red list. During the assessment of the scene it became obvious they had been poisoned.
It also became clear that the poisoning was associated with poaching activities. They also found what looked like a camp where the poachers spent time to slaughter animals. “Parts of the carcasses were found scattered on the scene. It seems that a zebra carcass was first laced with poison, and a few days later the remains of a kudu cow was also poisoned.”
It is likely that a carbamate-based chemical, such as Aldicarb, was used to kill the birds. These type of chemicals are widely used in agricultural practices.
The Limpopo department of environment and tourism allegedly did not know about the incident.
