Cape Vulture Conservation Project

Background
The Magaliesberg, South Africa, the oldest mountain range in the world, is steeped in rich cultural and biological history. Naturalists have explored this region since the earliest times and must have stood in awe of such a beautiful area. This mountain and its surroundings is endowed with some of the best bird habitats in the country (434 species) and is also home to a number of special species such as the Cape Vulture.

The Cape Vulture is at present one of the most threatened vulture species in South Africa. Various factors have been linked to the continuing decline of their populations with the main threats thought to be to food shortage, poisoning, plus collisions and electrocutions associated with power lines. One of the largest populations of these birds can be found around the cliffs of the Magaliesberg where at present ± 380 breeding pairs are known to live.

Monitoring
Although many of the threats to the Cape Vultures have been identified, the threats have not been adequately addressed as the population continues to decline. Around the Magaliesberg region, power lines have become a major focal point, as a number of tagged vultures have been found injured or dead within the immediate vicinity of the cables.

It is for this reason that an extensive Magaliesberg Cape Vulture Programme is being undertaken with emphasis on the foraging ranges of the vultures. Using GSM/GPS tracking devices to remotely follow the movements of the vultures, the project will be able to identify the key factors causing the decline in the species – such as the real impact of power lines to the colony and help address them by for example campaigning for the modification of current power lines to bird-friendly versions.

Patagial tags will also be used on birds without cellular tracking devices. This offers an effective and cheaper method of monitoring the birds.

Awareness & Education Campaign
In addition to the monitoring programme, an awareness and education campaign will be conducted to bring the vultures’ predicament to people’s attention and inform them of its ecological role in the environment. People living in the region, birders and ornithologists will be asked to participate in the re-sightings of tagged vultures, thereby giving them a sense of ownership over the project. These sightings will be used in conjunction with the tracking information to ascertain the home and foraging range of the vultures. Already 2,000 posters have been distributed around the Magaliesberg/Hartbeespoort areas and this will be expanded during 2008. The Vulture Programme is also fortunate enough to have Percy, a hand raised Cape Vulture who is used for educational presentations, not only to schools but organisations, bird clubs and events. During 2007, an approximate 3,500 people were introduced to Percy, who successfully changed many attitudes into understanding the conservation significance and importance vultures play in the ecosystem.

Drug's Threat
Vulture's are a misunderstood species, however they play a vital role in the ecosystem by clearing up dead carcasses; a trait that many farmers make use of by leaving dead livestock at vulture ‘restaurants’ on their farms. Tracking equipment funded by Tusk has shown that the vultures are becoming more dependent on these restaurants due to urbanisation and lack of food.

However this has opened the vultures up to a new threat. Populations of vultures are on the verge of extinction in South Asia due to the veterinary use of diclofenac an anti inflammatory drug. Diclofenac is not currently in use in Africa however, ketoprofen, a similar drug is. The project, in conjunction with the University of Pretoria has proven that ketoprofen is also lethal to the birds.
 

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