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LIFESTYLE

Vultures of South Africa

by Albert Roos

think most of us are aware of the 3. Rüppels Vulture: This species has been 9. Palm-nut Vulture: This species is
ongoing onslaught of poaching of the listed on the IUCN Red List status as widespread throughout much of
I pangolin, rhino and even lion species Near Threatened since 2007 and the Africa, overall fairly common and with a
in our country. There seems to be no end IUCN predict that the population of stable population. There are no current
to the slaughter of these poor animals this species will continue to decrease. species-specific conservation initiatives
and the media regularly covers stories in From 2012 to 2014 the Rüppells Vulture as this species is the only vulture species
respect thereof. The plight of our vultures, was listed as Endangered, however, the in South Africa where the population
however, is not covered as extensively in species was reassessed in 2015 and was size seems to be on the increase.
the media and most people are unaware declared Critically Endangered.
of their dire situation. 4. Lappet-Faced Vulture: The Lappet-
faced Vulture's world population is “The main causes of the drop in African
Regrettably the Silver Lakes Bird Club had believed to have decreased perceptibly, vulture populations are thought to be
to cancel our first meeting of the year and as of October 2015 their IUCN indiscriminate poisoning (where the
with guest speaker Linda Van Den Heever. status was updated to Endangered. They birds are drawn to poisoned baits), the
Unfortunately, she fell ill and could not are declining in Sahel as well as several use of vulture body parts in traditional
do her presentation on lead poisoning parts of their southern-, northern- and medicine and deliberate targeting by
in the vulture population as well as the western distribution in Africa. poachers as the presence of vultures can
implementation of Vulture Safe Zones. 5. White-headed Vulture: Populations alert authorities to illegally killed big game
This encouraged me to base this article on have been declining since the early carcasses.”– Bird Life South Africa.
vultures in South Africa and their current 1940s. It was classified as Vulnerable
status as endangered species. in the 2007 IUCN Red List. Recent Other factors that are responsible include
indications are that the species is much collision with and electrocution by
South Africa has nine species of vultures rarer than previously thought and this powerlines.
listed in Sasol Birds of Southern Africa: led to a status upgrade of Critically
Vultures, like any other scavengers, play
Endangered in 2015.
1. Cape Vulture: The Cape Vulture is listed 6. Hooded Vulture: The Hooded Vulture is a vital role in our ecology and general
by the IUCN* as Vulnerable. This means currently listed as Critically Endangered in welfare. By cleaning off the rotten
that these birds face a very high risk of the IUCN Red List, owing to many cases carcasses that are left in the veld, they stop
extinction in the wild. The Cape Vulture of indiscriminate carcass poisoning, diseases from breaking out and spreading.
numbers have been declining steadily increase in trade for traditional It Is vitally important for us to save this
since at least the 1980s, when it was medicine, hunting, persecution as well iconic bird of Africa. Through education,
first categorised as Threatened. Between as habitat loss and degradation. donations and by simply visiting reserves
1992 and 2007 the species declined by 7. Bearded Vulture: The Bearded Vulture where these birds are located, we justify
60 – 70% in South Africa alone. Their is classified as Endangered in South the need to conserve the reserves and we
status was later upgraded to Vulnerable Africa due to several reasons including afford the vultures a chance to survive.
and again in 2015 to Endangered.
2. White-backed Vulture: The White- dwindling habitat, increase in human * IUCN - The International Union for
poisoning
population
numbers,
backed Vulture is classified as Critically (farmers poisoning predators’ carcasses), Conservation of Nature is an international
Endangered according to the IUCN’s collisions with power lines and nest organisation working in the field of
Red List of Threatened Species. Climate disturbances. nature conservation and sustainable use
change, among other factors, is 8. Egyptian Vulture: The Egyptian Vulture of natural resources. It is involved in data
considered a big threat to the species' is one of only two bird species listed as gathering and analysis, research, field
declining population of mature Regionally Extinct in South Africa. projects, advocacy, and education.
individuals.

28 INTRA MUROS MARCH 2020