Cape vulture numbered

Vulture numbers worldwide have been decreasing, meriting conservation of the species. Poison, including incidents of deliberate vulture poisoning, electric powerlines, wind farms, depletion of food sources and people ignorance are among the causes, sadly but appropriately summarised as the human influence.

In Roman times there were augurs, priests, who sought the "divine will" regarding proposed courses of action before advising the authorities on important decisions. The bird behaviour in the sky or the appearance of its entrails, particularly its liver, told the augur how to advise on the course of action beneficial for the "peace, good fortune, and well-being" of Rome. Augur advice was considered important, usually heeded and birds or animals died.

Vulture body parts have been used to predict winning lotto numbers in our time, hopefully not any longer. We still use the words "augur well" today, regarding signs that may affect the future.

There is a vulture survival crisis in at least Africa and Asia. Vultures breed slowly and mature only from age five.

Countermeasures have started and are making a difference: There is a Vulture Conservation Foundation in Europe. The first Saturday in September each year is International Vulture Awareness Day. A Multi-Species Action Plan, the Vulture MsAP has been agreed, involving the coordination of many efforts and programmes internationally.

Cape vulture and other vulture protection activities are conducted at the Nyoka Ridge Vulture Restaurant and Monitoring Project in the Magaliesberg Biosphere, as well as other projects, big and small. Conservation work at VulPro includes rehabilitation of vulture chicks that left the nest prematurely, among other problems with calcium deficiency.

Dedicated people support these ventures, although awareness and commitment need to grow still. Personal exposure to nature increases interest and sometimes contribution to biodiversity endeavours.

The Cape vulture, in Afrikaans kransaasvoël (rock vulture) and scientifically Gyps coprotheres, is found throughout South Africa, apart from the west and east coasts. It is also widespread in southern Africa, not in Mozambique. These birds mostly live in mountainous regions or open terrain with solitary mountains or escarpments, in deserts or savanna.

The Cape vulture is large, characteristically buff-coloured with blackish wings and tail. Paired blue patches are present flanking the crop. The row of black dots on the inside of the wing is distinctive.

Cape vultures are gregarious, nesting in groups on steep cliffs marked white from their droppings. One white egg is usually laid, hatched in about eight weeks by both parents. The chick remains in the nest for about 140 days, fed by both parents. The young birds remain with and depend on their parents for longer than seven more months.

The birds soar in the mornings for food spotting from great heights. Carrion-eaters, they converge on abandoned carcases, where their “table manners” are aggressive and competitive. There are vulture colonies in the Magaliesberg, near Thabazimbi, in Limpopo Province and elsewhere (Maclean, 1993; Hartebeestfontein Conservancy Newsletters; https://vulpro.com; http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za).