Saving the Scavengers: How a Vulture Relocation Project Aims to Conserve Africa’s Raptors

Vultures are often seen as ugly, dirty, and disgusting birds that feed on the dead. But these scavengers are actually vital for the health of the ecosystems they inhabit, as they clean up the carcasses of animals and prevent the spread of diseases.

Vultures are also highly intelligent, social, and loyal creatures that form strong bonds with their mates and offspring.

Vultures are sadly suffering a severe decline in Africa, where they are vulnerable to habitat loss, poaching, poisoning, and persecution.

According to a recent study in Nature Ecology & Evolution, African savanna raptors, including vultures, have experienced widespread population collapse, with large species declining more than smaller ones.

The study also found that raptors in unprotected areas suffered more than those in protected areas, and recommended the expansion of conservation areas to safeguard these birds.

To address this crisis, a unique project has been launched to secure the future of wild vulture populations in southern Africa. The project, led by VulPro, the only vulture conservation organisation of its kind on the continent, aims to establish a breeding facility at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where sick or injured vultures that have been rehabilitated but are non-releasable can breed and produce offspring that can be released into the wild.

The first phase of the project, which was completed in January 2024, involved the relocation of 160 Cape and African White-backed vultures from VulPro’s facility in Hartebeespoort to bespoke enclosures at
Shamwari.

This was the largest relocation of vultures ever undertaken, and required the collaboration of over 50 people, including logistics company DHL, NGO WeWild Africa, and veterinarians from the University of Pretoria and Shamwari. The move took 18 hours, with all 160 birds loaded in just three hours.

The second phase, planned for later this year, will see the relocation of breeding pairs of non-releasable Lappet-faced, White-headed and Hooded Vultures and some additional White-backed Vultures. These species are considered critically endangered, with the exception of the Lappet-faced Vulture, which is endangered.

The Cape Vulture offspring will be released at Shamwari, which covers 250km2 of restored indigenous fauna and flora. All these birds will be fitted with tracking devices to monitor their movements and survival.

Offspring from the other species will be transported back to VulPro’s Hartebeespoort facility, where they will be sent to release sites that the National Vulture Breeding Steering Committee has identified as areas where these species need bolstering and support.

Kerri Wolter, VulPro CEO, says the breeding facility at Shamwari will provide a significant boost to vulture conservation efforts in southern Africa and on the continent. “VulPro at Shamwari offers a safe, well-balanced ecosystem for both our in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes and provides financial support and sustainability. Importantly it limits risk because the largest captive breeding population of vultures isn’t concentrated in one location. In addition, Shamwari’s anti-poaching unit provides good security.”

Wolter also explains why vultures are so important to humans and the environment. “Vultures provide vital ecosystem services in our natural, agricultural, and rural environments. The important role they play in the cycling of nutrients through the highly-efficient disposal of organic waste from the environment is of utmost importance to human health and environmental integrity.”

Vultures have a highly corrosive stomach acid that allows them to consume rotting animal corpses that are often infected with anthrax, botulinum toxins, rabies, and hog cholera that would otherwise kill other scavengers or contaminate water sources.

By ridding the ground of dead animals, vultures prevent diseases from spreading to humans and animals, and reduce the need for costly and harmful pesticides and incinerators.

Vultures also have a positive impact on biodiversity, as they reduce the competition and predation pressure on other scavengers and herbivores, and prevent the overgrowth of vegetation that can result from excessive grazing. Vultures are also indicators of the health of the ecosystems they inhabit, as they reflect the availability and quality of food resources and the level of human disturbance.

People who perceive vultures as pests or threats frequently misunderstand and denigrate them in spite of their ecological and economic benefits. Some people kill vultures for food or belief-based uses, such as traditional medicine or witchcraft.

Others poison vultures intentionally or unintentionally, either to hide illegal poaching activities or to protect their livestock from predators.

Vultures are also vulnerable to electrocution and collision with power lines and wind turbines, as well as shooting and trapping.

Wolter urges people to appreciate and protect vultures, as they are essential for the balance of nature and the well-being of humans.

“Vultures are truly fascinating creatures that play a critical role in our ecosystem. By eating the remains of dead animals, they help keep our environment clean, recycle nutrients, and control pests. They can be found in various habitats worldwide, from deserts and grasslands to mountains and forests. They are also highly intelligent, social, and loyal creatures that form strong bonds with their mates and offspring. We need to respect and value these amazing birds, and support the efforts to conserve them before it is too late.”