Another blow for conservationists as Cape vulture electrocuted
The scale of the loss is staggering and highlights the immense and growing threat to Africa’s vulture populations.
In a heart-breaking blow to conservation efforts, a critically endangered Cape vulture was recently found fatally injured at the Oribi Gorge Vulture Viewing Hide, a vital breeding and feeding site on the private farm of long-time conservationist Mike Neethling.
Dr Jacqui Gray, renowned vulture specialist from the African Raptor Centre and Raptor Rescue, said the injured vulture, identified as part of the breeding colony safeguarded by Neethling for more than 40 years, somehow managed to return to the vulture restaurant after suffering devastating injuries, likely caused by electrocution.
Despite making it back to the colony’s feeding area, it collapsed shortly after arrival.
Gray was urgently dispatched to the scene.
The bird was rushed to the Hibiscus Veterinary Clinic, but despite swift action, the vet on call determined the vulture’s injuries were too severe and it was humanely euthanised.
“There’s no way to pinpoint exactly where this bird was electrocuted,” said Gray.
“There are thousands of kilometres of power lines, many of them poorly designed and deadly to large raptors like vultures.”
Gray said this tragic loss comes on the heels of an even greater catastrophe, a mass poisoning in the Kruger National Park where more than 100 vultures, primarily white-backed vultures were killed in a single incident.
The scale of the loss is staggering and highlights the immense and growing threat to Africa’s vulture populations.
Cape vultures are teetering on the brink of extinction. Every single bird lost is irreplaceable.
“These birds are nature’s clean-up crew,” said Gray, who has spent the past five years researching the population dynamics of the Oribi Gorge colony.
“Each vulture plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. We simply cannot afford to lose them.”
The Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre which is located at Tala Collection Game Reserve in Camperdown near Pietermaritzburg, continues to respond to raptor emergencies.
Gray, a former Port Shepstone High learner, works with Ben Hoffman at the centre in multiple research projects involving everything from vultures, owls, hawks to crowned eagles.
“For more than 20 years the centre has been dedicated to bird of prey rehabilitation. Specialised breeding whereby non-releasable rehab birds are allowed to breed and their progeny is released to supplement wild populations.”
Gray urges the public: If you see a vulture on the ground, compromised, or behaving strangely, report it immediately to the African Raptor Centre or Raptor Rescue. Call their 24-hour helpline on 082-3590-900.
“Let this tragic death not be in vain. Only with awareness, vigilance, and action can we save what remains of South Africa’s majestic vultures.”
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