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 Sport Reserve, fashioned a part of the work performed by the Zululand Vulture Venture and was made doable by Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre and Dr Mike Toft.
An essential a part of this work includes responding to poisoned, injured or in any other case compromised Vultures, offering emergency care when acceptable, and transporting compromised birds to our rehabilitation accomplice, Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre. This accredited rehabilitation centre offers 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 one of the best 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 items earlier than launch. It will allow the Wildlife ACT group to watch their post-release actions, reply in case of an emergency, and assess the rehabilitation success.
Whereas we work arduous in direction of eliminating threats and creating extra protected habitat for Vultures to dwell in, every particular person chicken saved and launched, regardless of the species, is taken into account a victory. The worth of wildlife monitoring items can’t be underestimated relating to Vulture conservation.
We nonetheless want 10 extra vulture monitoring items to achieve our goal for the 12 months. Please contemplate supporting this essential conservation work. To sponsor a Vulture monitoring unit, please contact anel@wildlifeact.com.
