BONE EATERS OF THE 'BERG
THE BEARDED VULTURE
Sonja Kruger.
Regional Ecologist West uKhahlamba, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus, is a large solitary bird that inhabits mainly mountainous
regions. In southern Africa, a drastic decline in the Bearded Vultures’ range and numbers during
the past century has resulted in an isolated population that is restricted to the highlands of
Lesotho and immediately adjacent areas of the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains. The Free State and
south-eastern Cape Province were part of the original breeding range of the species, but now the
Bearded Vulture no longer occurs in the south-eastern Cape and only forages in north-eastern Cape
province and the Free State.
The decline of the Bearded Vulture in South Africa and Lesotho is mainly as a result of a
decrease in habitat and food supply, human persecution and disturbances at nests, poisoning, and
collisions with powerlines. Because of the Bearded Vultures’ small and declining population size,
restricted range, range contraction, and the susceptibility to several threats in Lesotho and South
Africa, it has been classified as “endangered” in the South African Red Data Book.
The southern African subspecies of Bearded Vulture (G. b. meridionalis) differs in appearance
and size from the one found in North Africa, Europe and Asia (G. b. barbatus) but is similar to
those found in Ethiopia.
Bearded Vultures are scavengers that cover large distances, and are often seen outside protected
areas. In the past, the Bearded Vulture was called the Lammergeier because it was thought that
these birds catch lambs. This is incorrect because they subsist mainly on bones from carcasses and
there are no verified cases of these birds hunting or killing prey.
They nest mainly on basalt cliffs in potholes at an average altitude of about 2500 m. Eggs are
laid in mid winter and chicks fledge in summer. Although the breeding success is high, most
fledglings die as sub-adults. Adults, however, have a high survival rate and can live for many
decades.
Surveys over the past few years have indicated a continued decline in the range of the species
and the number of nesting pairs. For example, only a collective 15 of the estimated 37 nest sites
in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park have been found to be active since 2000. An intensive ground
survey is planned for September 2005 along the Drakensberg escarpment from Golden Gate Highlands
National Park in the Free State to Bushman’s Nek in southern KwaZulu-Natal. The survey will
determine whether the nest sites that the birds were using in the early 1980s are still being used
and will identify any new nesting sites. This survey, together with similar surveys in the Eastern
Cape (planned for 2006) and Lesotho (a helicopter survey is planned) will provide an accurate
estimate of the population size for southern Africa.
The surveys form part of several initiatives that are underway, to ensure the long-term survival
of this magnificent bird. Other initiatives include the establishment of vulture restaurants within
the species range to ensure a safe and regular food supply as well as addressing the threat of
powerlines and the use of poisons both in South Africa and Lesotho.
This information is an important requirement for a Population Habitat Viability Analysis
workshop that will be held early in 2006. The results of the workshop will be used to develop a
Conservation Management Plan for the Bearded Vulture. This plan will require the collaboration of
Lesotho and South Africa for successful implementation in our aim to prevent further declines in
the numbers and range of the Bearded Vulture. The Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project (MDTP)
will assist by facilitating this collaboration.
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus by Sonja Kruger and Douglas van
Zyl
|
