FitzPatrick Institute Seminar: 'Bearded Vulture Conservation' by Sonja Kruger

Sonja Kruger, a prospective PhD student at the Fitz, will give a talk on her research on the Endangered Bearded Vulture of Lesotho and South Africa. She has followed birds for several years with satellite tags and she will give up-to-date results on the birds' wanderings and the conservation initiatives to reduce the threats.

Abstract: The Bearded Vulture population has declined drastically in southern Africa over the past century, resulting in a single isolated population restricted to the Maluti-Drakensberg mountains. Research over the past 10 years has provided information on the number and trend in breeding pairs, their ranging behaviour, and the threats to the species. Within the past quarter century, the Bearded Vulture in southern Africa has lost a third of its breeding range and a third of its breeding pairs. The population is estimated at less than 500 birds. Preliminary data on ranging behaviour obtained from satellite transmitters indicate that fledglings range close to their nest sites within the first few months of fledging as do adults during the breeding season, whereas juveniles range extensively across the Maluti-Drakensberg mountains. Data from marked birds has shown that poisoning and collisions with powerlines pose the greatest threats to the species. Although there has been some conservation effort in recent years, these have not been successful in addressing the threats to the species. Appropriate threat mitigation measures need to be implemented as part of a management strategy for the Bearded Vulture to reverse the decline of the species.