Pretoria: With the severe population declines of vultures over the past three decades, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that vulture conservation remains a national priority.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, highlighted the critical situation this year, noting two mass poisoning incidents that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of vultures. “If these events continue unchecked, the loss of thousands of vultures could have devastating environmental and public health consequences,” the Minister stated.
Dr. George called on South Africans to actively participate in protecting these important birds, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) in November 2025. Vultures, once widespread across Africa, face multiple threats, including feeding on poisoned carcasses left by poachers or due to human-wildlife conflicts. The consequences of these actions include increased disease outbreaks, poor sanitation, rising stray dog populations, and higher incidences of human injuries and rabies fatalities.
South Africa hosts nine vulture species, seven of which have established breeding populations. These populations are under threat of extinction, prompting the government to implement the National Multi-Species Vulture Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), published on 18 March 2024. The plan is executed through the National Vulture Task Force (NVTF) and its subcommittees, aiming to create a safe environment where vultures can thrive by reducing key threats, enhancing stakeholder involvement, and developing best practice guidelines for conservation.
In collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa took part in a regional workshop organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and BirdLife International. The workshop, held in conjunction with International Vulture Awareness Day in September, launched the SADC Vulture Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2035). This strategy seeks to mobilize collective action among the 12 SADC vulture range states, focusing on coordinated conservation efforts, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
The workshop underscored the threats to vultures, including poisoning, collisions, and electrocutions from energy infrastructure, as well as habitat loss. It highlighted opportunities for collaboration and cooperation to implement targeted actions, raise awareness, and strengthen legislation for vulture conservation. “South Africa is committed to the implementation of the SADC Vulture Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2035). Without decisive and coordinated action, several vulture species face the very real threat of extinction,” Dr. George affirmed.