The Cape Vulture differs markedly from the Whitebacked in its choice of breeding sites, a fact which also plays the greater part in their differing ecology and lifestyle. Other raptors and vultures that frequent the hide include the Cape vulture, Verreaux’s eagle and lanner falcon. Cape vultures begin to build their nests in early March. The Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation was part of an incredible release recently. The Cape vulture or Cape griffon (Gyps coprotheres), also known as "Kolbe's vulture", is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. Here we propose that global warming factors are consistent with many trends that we see in the demise of two of the larger, montane vulture species present in the region: the two northern-most colonies of Cape Vultures have gone extinct; a southern colony is the only one Keeping in mind that there are only about 8000 Cape Vultures left in the wild, the up to 1000 individual vultures feeding at this vulture restaurant are … They live in colonies on often-inaccessible cliffs. The Cape Griffon vulture, the largest bird of its kind in Africa, is also one of the most endangered and has suffered a significant population decline over the past few decades. The hide is famous for sightings of the endangered Lammergeier (bearded vulture). Now, it must depend on dead livestock for food. It is endemic to southern Africa , and is found mainly in South Africa , Lesotho , Botswana , and in some parts of northern Namibia . THREATS The change in land-use patterns has had a major negative impact on the distribution and has led to a drastic decline in numbers of the Cape Vulture. The organisation helped release 6 Cape Vultures back into the wild. As such the work of the Vulture Conservation Programme “VulPro” is intended and expected to favourably impact on many other aspects of the environment – beyond vultures. Ostrich 51:230-250. The past and present distribution and status of the Cape Vulture in the Cape Province. As such the work of the Vulture Conservation Programme (“VulPro”) work is intended and expected to impact on many other aspects of the environment – beyond vultures. Unlike most birds of prey, the Cape vulture does not use thermals (rising warm air currents) to fly. Vultures may not be the prettiest of birds: they are often reviled for their looks, and have completely unfounded reputation as revolting and gross with even naturalist Charles Darwin described them as “disgusting”. Avian radar systems have vastly enhanced these efforts and one such system was applied in this study to assess the accuracy of the generally more employed visual monitoring efforts, with a focus on Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres in the Eastern Cape Province. Because of this, species seen in the Sabi – Sands region note that populations of most vultures continue to decrease. The images are heartwarming. Although the Oribi Gorge colony consists of about 150 birds the outlying colonies from surrounding areas are also known to feed there. The Lammergeier has a unique feeding method, where it drops bones from a great height, and once broken, it eats the marrow out of the smashed bones. The vulture used to eat the carcasses of large migratory mammals. Because of his, a vulture study group has been established (VSG). The head is bald because it often pokes about in … Vultures, positioned at the top of the food chain, are an indicator of the health of the environment below them – and dependent for their survival on a healthy environment. The Cape vulture, Gyps coprotheres, is endemic to southern Africa. There are small remnant breeding populations in the Western Cape and western Swaziland and non-breeding groups in Namibia and southern Zimbabwe. Reasons for their decline are varied, but include problems such as pylon injuries, malicious poisonings, muti killings and insufficient food sources. It is quite an emotional moment, when you see a bird as impressive as a vulture, having been in rehab for several months, being released, and soaring free. The turkey vulture gets its name from its red bald head, which resembles that of a male wild turkey. The number of Cape vultures has recently been declining at an alarming rate. Why the Cape Griffon Vulture Namibia boasts seven species of vultures, more than two thirds of the 11 species found on the African continent and one third of the world’s 22 species. South African vultures are in serious trouble, especially the Cape Vulture, which is critically endangered, with only 2900 breeding pairs remaining. These scavengers do the dirty work of cleaning up after death helping to keep ecosystems healthy and prevent the spread of disease. Instead, it uses the swift air currents that exist around its roosting sites. The Cape Vulture breeds colonially on cliffs, the only vulture in Southern Africa to do so. Vultures, positioned at the top of the food chain, are an indicator of the health of the environment below them – and dependent for their survival on a healthy environment.