Follow this link to see the movements of vultures fitted with GPS tags
This project is run in partnership with BirdLife South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Birds of Prey Programme and Gauntlet Birds of Prey Eagle and Vulture Park. It is based in the Kimberley area, South Africa. Mark Anderson (Executive Director, BirdLife South Africa) is the key partner. Important support for the project has been provided by De Beers.
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Due to significant declines in West Africa in recent years, the African White-backed Vulture is now listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN. Moderate declines in South Africa have lead to the species being listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.
The project has been running since 2001, and investigates several aspects of African White-backed Vulture ecology in the study area. An annual trip to participate in a long-term monitoring programme is an important part of the project.
Here is a description of the areas we are working currently:
African White-backed Vulture monitoring
Aim: To continue to support and participate in the ringing, identification and monitoring programme for African White-backed Vultures in the Greater Kimberley Area, South Africa
Distribution of African White-backed Vultures in relation to land use
Aim: To determine how different land use types affect AWbVs breeding, foraging and roosting behaviour in the Greater Kimberley Area, South Africa
Mortality factors affecting vultures
Aim: To quantify the impact of various mortality factors on the population of African White-backed Vultures in the Greater Kimberley Area, South Africa
Breeding dynamics of African White-backed Vulture breeding areas
Aim: To understand the distribution and spatial dynamics of African White-backed Vulture breeding areas
