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The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Charity No: 1092349 - Company No: 4304161
Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 8DY, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 773850.   Fax: +44 (0) 1264 773772.   Email info@hawkconservancy.org
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African White-backed Vulture research
and conservation programme

Follow this link to see the vultures fitted with GPS tags!

This project is run in partnership with BirdLife South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Birds of Prey Working Group 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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The Hawk Conservancy Trust in South Africa
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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

Outcomes:

Benefits:

The 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

Outcomes:
This area of research is complete. A summary can be found here. The full paper is available on request.

Benefits:

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

Outcomes: Contribution to the development of methods to reduce mortality rates

Benefits:

Nest tree characterisation of African White-backed Vultures

Aim: To identify the habitat and nest tree requirements of African White-backed Vultures in the Greater Kimberley Area, South Africa

Outcomes:

Benefits: