Various branches of SA Hunters have come together in Mafikeng to discuss collaboration in saving vultures as part of the associations Vulture Heritage Programme. This conservation initiative is designed to protect South Africa’s declining vulture populations by leveraging our member network to address habitat loss, food scarcity, and poisoning threats. 

The Tembo Branch sponsors senders to track vultures released from Vulpro’s rehabilitation facilities. Unfortunately, a vulture with a tracker sponsored by the branch died after colliding  with a powerline. The data help conservation oranisations to identify threats for conservation action. Powerlines remain one of the biggest threats to vultures.

De la Rey Branch in Mahikeng supports the restaurant near Lichtenburg, providing risk-free carcasses for up to 200 vultures at a time. Their permanent camera allows them  to monitor the vultures at the site.

A collaborative initiative with Vulpro will focus on collecting data on Lappet-faced vultures. Kameeldoring Branch will coordinate this initiative.

Other branches and member can also contribute to the conservation of the critically endangered vultures in the following ways:

🦅 On-the-ground conservation

• Manage Feeding Sites: Establish, support, or provide risk-free carcasses for local vulture “restaurants.” A guideline is available here.
• Register Safe Zones: Landowners can register their properties as vulture heritage sites, pledging to protect breeding areas and ensure hunting activities do not harm the birds.
  
  

🎯 Hunting and land management

• Reduce lead risk: Responsible hunting with no carcasses or offal with lead particles in the veld to reduce secondary poisoning or switch to lead-free ammunition.
• Boost response times: Report injured, poisoned, or electrocuted birds as soon as possible to ensure quick response times for rescue and rehabilitation.
  
  

📱 Data collection and technology

• Log sightings: Use the in-house Wildlife Sightings App to record vulture locations, breeding activities, and mortality incidents.
• Sponsor trackers: Join initiatives run by  the Tembo Branch to sponsor tracking devices for monitoring bird movements.
• Support local projects: Participate in branch-specific research, such as the upcoming Lappet-faced vulture data collection project coordinated by the Kameeldoring Branch.
  
  

For more information on how to get involved, please contact the conservation manager at Lizanne@sahunt.co.za