Mass poisoning threatens vultures

COORDINATED THREAT

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

SOUTH Africa is facing what conservationists call a growing and coordinated threat to endangered wildlife, following two mass vulture poisoning incidents in the space of just over a week one in Kruger National Park and another in Lionspruit Game Reserve, Mpumalanga. Combined, these events have killed over 220 vultures, a devastating blow to already fragile populations.

Experts warn that such poisonings are not isolated but point to an emerging poaching tactic using laced carcasses to eliminate vultures which often alert authorities to wildlife crimes and possibly divert attention from larger operations.

On May 18, VulPro and Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre confirmed the deaths of over 100 vultures at Lionspruit near Marloth Park. The site was identified via GPS signals from previously rehabilitated vultures. Responders found dozens of birds dead around a poisoned warthog carcass. There were no survivors.

The victims included 92 White-backed Vultures (90% breeding adults), nine Hooded Vultures, and one White-headed Vulture - all Critically Endangered. No body parts were removed, indicating the motive was likely not linked to traditional medicine practices.

"The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation," said Kerri Wolter, CEO of VulPro. "We are genuinely terrified of what next is going to occur."