Critically-endangered vultures

AAfrica’s largest and most recognisable birds of prey – vultures – face a grim future, according to the latest assessment carried out by BirdLife International for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, on behalf of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Six of the continent’s 11 vulture species have had their global threat status upgraded to a higher level, meaning that they face a very real danger of extinction. Fortunately, many of these species can still be found in South Africa. Below is a list of the six most endangered species of vultures, and where you can find them in South Africa:

Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus): Endangered to critically endangered – This bird has a wide distribution area around sub-Saharan Africa but it generally lives south of the Sahara in countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. These vultures can be viewed in Marakele National Park (near Pretoria).

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus): Endangered to critically endangered – This vulture can be found in wooded savannah where large grazing mammals are found. These vultures can also be found along streams. South Africa, Namibia and equatorial forests of West Africa are some of the places where these vultures can be found. These vultures have been sighted at Kariega Game Reserve in Port Elizabeth.

White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis):
Vulnerable to critically endangered – White-headed vultures usually live in dry regions especially in open areas such as plains. Some of the countries with a healthy population of these vultures include Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, South Africa and Swaziland. They are generally seen in north-eastern Kruger where they nest in the Baobabs.

Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppellii): Endangered to critically endangered – Rüppels vultures enjoy living in grasslands, mountains and woodlands. These vultures are very common in the Sahel region of Africa. These vultures enjoy dwelling in the mountainous region, in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (in the Drakensberg).

Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres): Vulnerable to endangered – The Cape Vulture is differentiated from other vultures as it lays only one egg per year, while other vultures lay multiple eggs. The Cape Vultures are endemic to southern Africa, and can be found in most Southern African countries. The Cape Vulture can be found in Magaliesberg, at Sterkfontein Dam near Harrismith in the Free State, in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (in the Drakensberg), De Hoop Nature Reserve (near Cape Town), and the Marakele National Park (near Pretoria).

Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos): Vulnerable to endangered – These vultures can be considered to be intercontinental because their distribution cuts across Africa and the Middle East. Lappet-faced vultures enjoy living in dry savannah, arid plains, scattered trees and open mountain slopes. The Lappet-faced Vulture is officially the largest resident vulture in the Kruger National Park.