Another 100 critically endangered vultures dead

[Lisbeth]

19.05.2025

There were no survivors, and no body parts were taken

Africa's only vulture-focused conservation organisation, together with Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre in Mpumalanga, has confirmed a significant poisoning incident in the Lionspruit Game Reserve near Marloth Park, Mpumalanga. More than 100 vultures have died, including 92 White-backed vultures of which 90% were breeding adults, nine hooded vultures and one male adult White-headed vulture.

Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation is a non-profit organisation located in Mpumalanga, South Africa, committed to nurturing cooperative relationships between humans and native wildlife. Established by Deidre Joubert, their mission focuses on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts through education, preventive strategies, and responsible conduct.

The scene was located through real-time GPS tracking of several vultures previously rehabilitated and released by Vulpro and Wild and Free. Upon detecting abnormal movement, Vulpro notified Wild and Free who then contacted the Nkomazi municipal field rangers. Together, the team responded immediately to find a catastrophic scene with multiple carcasses lying around a warthog carcass. There were no survivors, and no body parts were taken. Two more carcasses were discovered by air, thanks to SANParks who joined in on the search.

This deliberate act has caused irreparable damage to already declining vulture populations and underscores the growing and devastating impact of poisoning on South Africa’s critically endangered vulture populations.

Together with expert toxicologist and director of Griffon Poison Information Centre, Dr. Gerhard Verdoorn, and with the help of Dr Peet Venter samples have been collected and will be submitted for toxicological testing to identify the poison used and supporting possible legal action. These incidents not only wipe out critical scavengers but disrupt ecosystems, remove vital biodiversity, and undermine decades of conservation efforts. They also highlight the need for urgent collaboration.

“The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation. With multiple incidents taking place in various regions across the Lowveld recently, we suspect they are aimed at detracting us from a bigger and even more devastating event in the near future. We are calling on the government and the national vulture poisoning working group to address the crisis before it’s too late. To lose to this number of vultures, let alone adult breeding birds during breeding season is an ecological crisis. We are genuinely terrified of what next is going to occur.”With no body parts taken Wolter confirms this latest slaughter does not look as if it is related to muti,” said CEO of Vulpro, Kerri Wolter,.

In response to this incident and the growing frequency of poisoning cases, Vulpro is appealing to all rehab centres in the Lowveld to stop releasing vultures in the area until such threats are fully investigated and mitigated.

This mass poisoning highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation action as it’s impossible to be everywhere, all the time. Just days ago, Vulpro formalised a long-standing partnership with Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, based in Hectorspruit. Together, the two organisations have established a vulture emergency response unit in Mpumalanga, delivering rapid on-site field response to poisoning and injury cases, expert veterinary care at Wild and Free’s on-site clinic and long-term rehabilitation and monitored releases through Vulpro’s national programme.

With support from conservation groups, WeWild Africa and Over and Above Africa, this initiative links veterinary expertise, field operations, and conservation strategy across provincial boundaries, unified in the mission to stop vulture extinction.

“This is not just about one event. It’s about a systemic threat to our natural balance. We are fighting for every egg, every nest, and every vulture’s future. Through science, integrity, and collaboration, we will hold the line,” said Wolter.

https://iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/20 ... ures-dead/

[Lisbeth]

Who can be doing a thing like this? No body parts taken....

[Richprins]

Lionspruit is next to Marloth and privately-run.

[Lisbeth]

This is pure wickedness

[Richprins]

we will hold the line,” said Wolter.



To hell with the barbarians!

[Lisbeth]

[nan]

[Lisbeth]

Another article on the above barbaric incident:

Catastrophic vulture poisoning incident near Marloth Park