Project to save Cape vultures kicks off
Karoo farmers have partnered with various stakeholders, in what is regarded as one of the largest conservation initiatives between land-owners and conservation organisations in the country, to create a Vulture Safe Zone in the Great Karoo. The zone ranges around 23 000 square kilometres.
The long-term goal is to encourage Cape Vultures back to their historical ranges throughout the Great Karoo.
The good news comes ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day on Saturday.
According to Danielle du Toit of the Karoo Vulture Safe Zone initiative, this ecologically vital group of birds is in a crisis, as the most threatened group of terrestrial migratory birds on the planet.
“The main reason for this is poisoning, whether intentional or otherwise” explained Du Toit, also citing powerline collisions, habitat loss and drowning in open water reservoirs as threats to the birds.
Vultures’ ability to clean carcasses quickly prevents the spread of diseases, which means they are pretty important in our ecosystems.
“Records found by well-known raptor ecologist André Boshoff, found that Cape Vultures would move towards the Karoo in summer months to feed on carcasses left behind during the magnificent plains game migrations,” said Du Toit. These vultures are known to roost and breed on cliffs, with signs of their inhabitancy at places such as Aasvoëlkraans and Aasvoëlberg.
According to Du Toit, over 400 Karoo farmers and other landowners are partnering with The Rupert Foundation, Endangered Wildlife Trust, South African National Parks, the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment and SANParks Honorary Rangers to create the Karoo Vulture Safe Zone. This zone will include four protected areas, namely Karoo National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Mountain Zebra National Park and the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment.
During the first phase of the project, Karoo farmers and landowners will engage the ops team to assess their properties, to ultimately obtain Vulture Safe Zone status.
For more information on the project, contact Danielle du Toit at danielled@ewt.org.za or 071 599 0127.