Heat, poor diet hurt vultures

HIGH temperatures and the drought are causing a worrying situation for the Cape and African white-backed vulture populations.

VulPro, an NGO that works to safeguard Africa’s vulture populations through rescue and rehabilitation efforts, said there had been an alarming number of vulture rehabilitation cases for December and early January.

A total of 23 vultures were brought in to VulPro for treatment for dehydration, starvation and calcium-deficiency injuries last month and a further 13 birds were collected within the first six days of this month.

According to VulPro, the vulture fledglings have either left their nests too early, not had sufficient calcium in their diet, combined with the climatical conditions of extreme heat, lack of available water and sufficient food.

“It feels as if the whole Magaliesberg is being treated at VulPro,” said Kerri Wolter, its founder and manager.

Wolter said: “Some have come in with broken bones, dislocated joints and bent bones which are a sign of calcium deficiency. Some we have not been able to pull through.

“This, too, has stretched our manpower resources.”

Cape vultures are globally endangered, with fewer than 4 200 breeding pairs left and the African white-backed vulture has declined to a critically endangered status.

Call VulPro on 082 808 5113.