Vultures turn death into life. They transform what is lost into something that sustains all of us, protecting people, wildlife and landscapes from disease and decay. This International Vulture Awareness Day, Vulpro celebrates their hidden gift, and works to ensure these extraordinary birds remain with us for generations to come.
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Few creatures perform such a vital yet misunderstood role as the vulture. These prehistoric-looking raptors, with their imposing wingspans and weathered faces, serve as Africa’s silent guardians, aiding in the prevention and spread of diseases like anthrax, botulism, and rabies that would otherwise devastate both wildlife and human communities. Without their swift and efficient disposal of carcasses, our landscapes would become breeding grounds for pathogens, and populations of less efficient scavengers like feral dogs and rats would surge, bringing their own health risks.
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Yet despite their crucial ecological service, vultures face an uphill battle for survival. Many of the large African vultures only reach sexual maturity at seven years old, laying just one egg per year. Even in ideal conditions, survival rates hover around 5%. Combined with human threats like poisoning, powerline collisions, and hunting for traditional medicine, it’s clear why we need to pay the crisis more attention.
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Across South Africa, 160 vultures are sold annually for traditional medicine, with people seeking claws, bones and skulls believing they possess clairvoyant powers. This demand drives destructive harvesting, particularly poisoning, which can wipe out dozens of birds in a single event.
At the forefront of vulture conservation stands Vulpro, an organisation that has revolutionised how we approach the protection of these remarkable birds.
Since 2007, they have pioneered innovative conservation methods through their world’s largest African vulture captive breeding programme. What sets their approach apart is their exclusive use of non-releasable birds for breeding, many of whom are victims of energy infrastructure collisions.
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Kerri Wolter, Vulpro’s CEO, explains the profound gentleness hidden beneath their intimidating exterior: “You have these big dinosaur, prehistoric type birds, and you would never consider that they would gently incubate an egg without crushing it. They’re so incredibly gentle, and to me, that is just a beautiful message as to how terrifying these birds can look and seem, and yet they are very gentle beings and peaceful beings.”
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This gentleness extends to their breeding behaviour. These monogamous birds often compete for parenting responsibilities, fighting over who gets to incubate eggs or tend to chicks during the gruelling 54-day incubation period. Through sophisticated techniques like double-clutching and meticulous record-keeping, Vulpro has successfully bred more than 24 chicks this season alone at their Shamwari facility, representing hope for a species teetering on the brink.
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Beyond breeding programmes, Vulpro tackles the root causes of vulture persecution through community education. Their VulCha programme has reached over 900 students near the Blouberg Nature Reserve, home to South Africa’s largest Cape vulture colony. By working directly with communities, schools, and traditional healers, they are witnessing increased tip-offs about suspected poaching.
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The organisation’s holistic approach recognises that conservation success requires more than protective measures, it demands genuine partnerships with local communities and a shift in how people perceive these misunderstood creatures.
Like skilled photographers who can capture beauty in unexpected places, conservationists see magnificence where others might see menace.
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To celebrate these unsung heroes and showcase their often-overlooked beauty, Vulpro has partnered with Getaway magazine to launch a photographic competition to highlight not only the role vultures play in our ecosystem but also show how majestic and beautiful they truly are. This collaboration recognises that photographers, like conservationists, possess the gift of seeing wonder in the world around us, capturing moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed.
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Through the lens of a camera, perhaps we can help others see what conservationists have always known, that in turning death into life, vultures reveal one of nature’s most profound and beautiful truths.
**Competition details to follow soon.
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