The number of Cape vultures has recently been declining at an alarming rate. Because of his, a vulture study group has been established (VSG). The Cape vulture, Gyps coprotheres, is endemic to southern Africa. They live in colonies on often-inaccessible cliffs.
Vultures fly at about 50 kilometres an hour for very long distances in search of carcasses. They float on air currents to save energy. A vulture reaches sexual maturity at between five and six years of age. Their lifespan is about 25 years. They breed in winter, laying only a single egg.
One of the reasons why vultures are struggling to survive is because of starvation. There is a definite decline in game numbers. Another reason is because vultures find pylons irresistible. Perching on them has shocked so many. Eskom has tried to create "safe" pylons, but still casualties occur. Farmers, too, are responsible for many vultures' deaths. They poison carcasses and leave them out to kill unwanted predators, instead they affect the vultures. Many farmers believe that vultures transmit dangerous diseases to cattle when they share their drinking water.
Traditionally, vulture skins were part of the African witchdoctor's dress. This practice has been eliminated to some extent in SA by strict legislation.
A vulture restaurant is an artificial feeding place for vultures. This is no new idea. Centuries ago, human corpses have been made available for vultures in places like Tibet and Bombay. Even South African history tells of King Dingaan's Kwa Matuwane, the feeding place of the vultures and the destination of those who suffered under Dingaan's wrath.
The idea of an artificial feeding place as a conservation concept, started in the Pyrenees in 1970 and spread to other countries. In the Orange Free State town of Zastron, farmers to harmonise their farming activities with the vultures, have established an environmental organisation. As part of an environment involvement program, the Bloemfontein Zoological Gardens now treats poisoned vultures.
With the decline in game numbers and therefore also in hyenas, another problem has arisen. Cape vultures have been found to suffer from a calcium deficiency. This is particularly noticeable during breeding time. Chicks are born with malformed bone structures. Previously, hyenas would tear a carcass apart before vultures had their turn in leaning them up. In the absence of these scavengers, there would be no bone fragments.
Vultures are very wary creatures. A peaceful environment is essential for the vulture to eat and search for bone fragments at leisure. They take the food back to the young on the rock ledges. Many people believe that the future of these vultures depend on the farmers. The Vulture Study Group encourages farmers to establish vulture-feeding places.
Vulture Study Group :
Tel: +27-11-646-8617
Fax: +27-11-486-1506
E-mail: vsg@ewt.org.za
