Protecting Africa’s Vultures
Preventing their Extinction with Vulpro
Saving Africa's Vultures
Since 2007, Vulpro has been transforming how the world sees vultures. Every day, we see these remarkable birds facing threats from power lines, poisoning and human indifference.
Vulpro is a non-profit organisation dedicated entirely to conserving Africa’s vulture species and the ecosystems they support. Through rescue, rehabilitation, release and captive breeding, we give injured or at-risk vultures a vital lifeline and help strengthen wild populations.
With facilities in Hartbeespoort, north of Johannesburg, and in the Eastern Cape on the Shamwari Private Game Reserve, our work spans southern Africa. We collaborate with local communities, researchers and conservation partners to tackle the many threats vultures face.
Our approach goes beyond saving individual birds. Through research, partnerships and public education, we address the root causes of decline and inspire action to secure a future where these iconic birds can thrive.
Read more on our Holistic Approach to Vulture Conservation
Building on this mission, Vulpro employs a holistic approach to conservation, combining both in-situ (on-site, in the wild) and ex-situ (off-site, in captivity) management strategies.
Originally established as a rehabilitation facility, Vulpro recognises the critical importance of each individual vulture for the survival of the species. Rehabilitation remains a cornerstone of our work, with all released vultures contributing to vital research through coloured leg bands and tracking devices.
Non-releasable vultures form the foundation of our captive breeding programme. Their offspring are used in release studies to assess adaptation and survival in the wild. Many released birds are fitted with GPS transmitters, enabling us to monitor survival, foraging patterns, preferred habitats, and key breeding and roosting sites.
Each year, we survey wild populations at breeding sites and maintain a re-sighting database using camera traps, photographs, and public reports. This allows us to track wild, rehabilitated, and ex-captive bred vultures beyond the lifespan of their transmitters. Our field presence also strengthens engagement with local landowners, raising awareness about the challenges facing African vultures.
Our work highlights the impact of human-induced changes on the environment, helping us identify threats and implement effective mitigation strategies. By combining scientific and veterinary research, we bridge in-situ and ex-situ conservation, addressing disease, toxicology and other threats. Vulpro’s comprehensive approach demonstrates how the careful management of each bird contributes to the survival of wild populations.
Our initiatives have achieved a 75% survival rate for released rehabilitated vultures, though some captive-bred releases have presented challenges. We continually refine our methods and aim to expand efforts into areas where vultures have become scarce or extinct. Protecting these birds is vital, as reintroducing a species is far more difficult than supplementing even a small existing population.
“Every vulture matters. Each life saved and returned to the wild strengthens the survival of wild vulture populations.”
KERRI WOLTER, FOUNDER
On-Site and Off-Site Conservation Strategies
At Vulpro, we integrate on-site (in-situ) and off-site (ex-situ) strategies to protect and preserve Africa’s vultures. On-site efforts focus on safeguarding vultures in their natural habitats through activities like population monitoring, threat mitigation, and fostering coexistence by engaging local communities.
Off-site strategies complement these efforts by addressing conservation needs beyond the wild, including rehabilitation of injured vultures and our impactful captive breeding programmes. Together, these approaches create a comprehensive framework, maximising our impact and ensuring the long-term survival of these essential birds.
Vulpro Rehabilitation
Captive Breeding Programme
Scientific Research
Community Engagement
Rehabilitation Process
Vulpro’s rehabilitation process is meticulous, customised to meet the unique needs of each vulture. Our dedicated team provides specialised medical care to treat injuries, diseases, and poisoning. Once stabilised, we focus on restoring the vulture’s physical strength and natural behaviours, preparing it for a successful return to the wild.
Our stringent release criteria ensure that only fully recovered, self-reliant vultures are reintroduced into their natural habitats. Each released bird is equipped with a tracking device or coloured leg band, contributing valuable data to ongoing research and conservation efforts.
Captive Breeding Programme
Vulpro’s captive breeding programme is a vital pillar of our conservation work. By caring for non-releasable vultures in a safe, controlled environment, we enable them to produce offspring that contribute to research and, ultimately, wild populations.
This programme plays a crucial role in bolstering vulture numbers while providing valuable insights into their breeding behaviours. Over the past 12 years, more than 40 captive-bred vultures have been successfully released, showcasing the programme’s transformative impact on vulture conservation.
Scientific Research
Vulpro leads the way in advancing vulture conservation through groundbreaking scientific research. Our studies delve into critical aspects of vulture biology and ecology, such as disease dynamics, toxicology, and behavioural patterns. This research is essential for identifying the threats vultures face and crafting effective, targeted solutions.
For instance, our investigations into vulture movement and habitat use provide vital insights that shape our conservation strategies, ensuring they are data-driven and impactful. Through science, we are paving the path to a sustainable future for Africa’s vultures.
Community Engagement
At Vulpro, community engagement is at the heart of our conservation efforts. We collaborate with local landowners, farmers, and communities to highlight the critical role vultures play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and the urgent threats they face. Through education, outreach, and building trust, we inspire local support for vulture conservation and promote sustainable practices that protect these essential birds.
Our growing presence in the field has deepened connections and raised awareness, empowering communities to become active stewards of vulture conservation. Together, we are shaping a future where vultures and people thrive side by side.
admitted to VulPro
from our rehab programme
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Challenges and Solutions
Conservation is a complex journey, with vultures facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, electrocutions, collisions with power lines, and human-wildlife conflict. Vulpro addresses these challenges through innovative approaches such as habitat restoration initiatives, strategic partnerships with landowners, and public awareness programmes. By fostering collaboration with local stakeholders and employing adaptive strategies, we remain at the forefront of vulture conservation, tackling current threats while preparing for future challenges.
Future Goals and Expansion
Looking ahead, Vulpro is dedicated to expanding our conservation efforts into regions where vultures are in decline or have disappeared. We aim to extend our work into additional provinces, locations and countries, broadening our impact and contributing to global vulture conservation initiatives. Our vision is to reintroduce vultures to areas where they have become scarce and to ensure these vital birds are never forgotten.
Through a combination of rigorous scientific research, dedicated conservation efforts, and meaningful community engagement, Vulpro is committed to creating a sustainable future for Africa’s vultures. Each bird plays a crucial role in this mission, and together, we are making a lasting difference in safeguarding these magnificent creatures.
Mission statement
Vulpro is dedicated to the holistic conservation of Africa’s vulture populations, aiming to ensure the survival and thriving of these vital scavengers. Our mission is to safeguard vultures through comprehensive, science-driven strategies that address both immediate and long-term threats. Our vision is a future where healthy vulture populations contribute to balanced ecosystems across Africa.
Recognising Our Sponsors and Supporters
Vulpro’s progress in vulture conservation is supported by the contributions of a wide range of partners.
The continued support of organisations and individuals is essential to achieving our mission of protecting endangered vulture species and their habitats.
We would like to formally recognise the following sponsors and supporters who have provided vital assistance to our work during 2024:
Contact Us
Found a vulture, bird of prey, or large bird in distress?
Whether in Southern Africa or beyond, time is of the essence! A quick response can mean the difference between life and death or a successful release versus permanent captivity.
Don’t delay—act now!
EMERGENCY NUMBERS (Available 24/7):
Tel: +27 82 808 5113
Tel: +27 82 254 4162
For emergencies only.
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
For non-urgent matters, please contact us at:
admin@vulpro.com
Every call helps save a life.