Vultures killed by poisoning at the Kruger National Park
A total of 116 vultures were found dead from a devastating poisoning in the Mahlangeni Section of the Kruger National Park.
The vultures died after they ate a highly toxic agrochemical pesticide-laced carcass of an elephant, laid by poachers who intend to harvest body parts for the illegal wildlife trade.
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84 vultures [White-backed, Cape, and Hooded Vulture] were rescued alive. 39 more were airlifted to the SANParks K9 facility in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, for immediate monitoring.
A final group was transported to the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Hoedspruit, for continued intensive care.
The incident was detected by the Endangered Wildlife Trust [EWT] pioneering wildlife poisoning surveillance and detection system on Tuesday at 06:05.
Within hours, a joint SANParks and EWT team mobilised and discovered a mass poisoning event involving hundreds of vultures poisoned.
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“This marks one of the largest vulture poisoning events in Southern Africa – and the most extensive coordinated response effort and rescues to date,” said SANParks Spokesperson JP Louw.
“Over 20 individuals across conservation, veterinary, and enforcement sectors also played a role in the rescue and response. Without rapid detection by the EWT’s wildlife poisoning detection and surveillance system and the unprecedented cooperation between NGOs, rangers, vets, and SANParks aerial and ranger units, many more birds would have been lost.
Poachers are reportedly increasingly using agricultural toxins to target high-value species, not just vultures, but also lions, whose body parts are in growing demand for muthi.
“We commend every individual who responded to this tragedy,” added Louw.
“Their courage, skill, and relentless commitment transformed a potential extinction-level event into one of the most successful vulture rescues ever recorded.
“This incident is also a setback to the vulture population in the Greater Kruger Landscape, which is trying to recover from similar incidents in the past.”
