We’re excited to share that 5 rehabilitated African White-backed Vultures have been launched again into the wild!
The vulture launch, which passed off on Manyoni Personal Recreation Reserve, shaped a part of the work finished by the Zululand Vulture Undertaking and was made attainable by Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre and Dr Mike Toft.
An vital a part of this work entails responding to poisoned, injured or in any other case compromised Vultures, offering emergency care when acceptable, and transporting compromised birds to our rehabilitation companion, Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre. This accredited rehabilitation centre gives these birds with skilled therapy and care till they’re prepared for launch.
Background:
In December 2022, 5 poisoned African White-backed Vultures have been captured and handled by our Emergency Response Staff at a mass wildlife poisoning scene earlier than being transported to Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre for additional therapy. Regardless of the perfect efforts of all concerned, one particular person didn’t survive.
The 4 surviving birds have been launched along with one other Vulture that was discovered with a damaged wing earlier in 2022, which required a considerably longer rehabilitation interval. The 5 rehabilitated Vultures have been fitted with uniquely identifiable patagial tags, leg rings, and GPS monitoring models earlier than launch. This can allow the Wildlife ACT group to observe their post-release actions, reply in case of an emergency, and assess the rehabilitation success.
Whereas we work exhausting in direction of eliminating threats and creating extra protected habitat for Vultures to stay in, every particular person hen saved and launched, irrespective of the species, is taken into account a victory. The worth of wildlife monitoring models can’t be underestimated relating to Vulture conservation.
We nonetheless want 10 extra vulture monitoring models to achieve our goal for the 12 months. Please take into account supporting this vital conservation work. To sponsor a Vulture monitoring unit, please contact anel@wildlifeact.com.
