supplied: Vulpro
The largest relocation process of vultures, ever undertaken, is currently underway in the Eastern Cape.
This is after the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment gave the green light to move the first tranche of 155 birds to their new home at Shamwari.
Vulpro at Shamwari will be the new home for the Cape and African White-backed Vultures which will be transported from their current home at their Hartebeespoort Dam facility in late January during the first phase of the two-year relocation programme.
The second phase second will see non-releasable breeding pairs of Lappet-faced, White-headed and Hooded Vultures and some additional White-backed Vultures being relocated.
VulPro is the only vulture conservation facility of its kind on the continent and is spearheading population restocking and supplementation to address the severe decline of African vulture species.
VulPro CEO, Kerri Wolter, says that the partnership with Shamwari will create a safe area for both in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes.
"Vultures with their important and efficient ecosystem services are a significant addition to the ethos Shamwari has created in restoring a natural and well-balanced ecosystem. In addition, the stability and financial support that Shamwari brings provides sustainability to Vulpro's breeding programme and the future of vultures in South Africa."
The Cape Vulture offspring will be released on Shamwari and will all be fitted with tracking devices.
