John Cassim
ConserveZim has learnt that a poisoning incident in South Africa’s Kruger National Park on Monday resulted in the death of one vulture, while at least 84 others survived.
The poisoning was detected on Monday evening using the Eye In The Sky System, prompting the dispatch of a rescue team in what is being called one of the largest vulture rescue operations to date.
A source involved in the operation stated, “We detected the poisoning event with the Eye In The Sky System on Monday evening. Our teams were deployed early Tuesday morning. It was a terribly tragic event, but we managed to save 84 birds and have only lost one so far.” The source added, “Our staff worked through the night with vets and the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and will continue to be busy in the coming days. The Birds of Prey Programme (BOPP) is also back in Kruger today to rescue any remaining survivors.”
Over 20 people assisted on the first day of the operation. The South African National Parks (SANParks) facilitated the work by providing a helicopter, which proved crucial in saving numerous vultures.
This is not the first vulture poisoning incident in Kruger National Park, as the demand for vultures in rituals continues to rise in the region.
In March of last year, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) called upon the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, due to their expertise in treating poisoned vultures, to respond to a major poisoning in the northern part of the park.
The following month, another poisoning occurred in the far northern region, where rangers discovered the carcasses of 86 vultures scattered near Grootvlei Dam, close to the park’s border with Mozambique.
In that instance, poachers had snared a buffalo, harvested some of its meat, and then poisoned the remaining carcass.
To date, poisoning has killed more than 2000 vultures in Kruger National Park.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing regarding the closure of some US-funded projects that researched vulture use, trafficking, and poisoning, particularly as poisoning incidents increase.