For the first time in over 30 years, wild Cape Vultures have returned to the Eastern Cape – soaring over Spitskop, Cradock in a sighting that has stunned conservationists and reignited hope for the species’ survival.
Eastern Cape, South Africa (01 March 2025) – In a thrilling turn of events for conservationists, over 80 wild Cape Vultures have been sighted on a farm just 40 kilometres outside Mountain Zebra National Park, near Spitskop, Cradock.
This is the first time in over three decades that these magnificent birds have been spotted in the region – a remarkable moment for South Africa’s endangered vulture populations and a sign that ongoing conservation efforts are paying off.
Vulpro, Africa’s only vulture-dedicated conservation organisation, has been working tirelessly to prevent the extinction of these misunderstood birds. Their efforts, which include rescue, rehabilitation, captive breeding, and education, have made a tangible difference in vulture numbers.
Seeing Cape Vultures return to historical roosting sites is an undeniable victory, though conservationists caution that the fight is far from over.
“While we are starting to see some vultures return to historical roosting sites, the rate of decline is still shocking and very worrying, which is why we can’t stop our conservation efforts now,” says Kerri Wolter, CEO and Founder of Vulpro. “Sightings like this one near Graaff-Reinet show that the work we are doing is making a difference, which motivates us to keep working around the clock to curb further vulture species declines.”
Cape Vultures, once abundant across South Africa, have faced a steady decline since the 1980s. Between 1992 and 2007, populations plummeted by as much as 70%, leading to their classification as ‘threatened.’ By 2021, their status was upgraded to ‘vulnerable’ as numbers showed signs of improvement, yet vultures remain among the most at-risk birds in Africa. Some species have seen catastrophic declines of up to 80% in recent decades, prompting conservationists to refer to the situation as the ‘African Vulture Crisis.’
The recent sighting follows another major milestone for Vulpro: the return of wild vultures to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where they were seen feeding on a carcass for the first time in nearly a year. The slow but steady return of vultures to these once-abandoned habitats is a major step forward for their survival.
Why Vultures Matter
Often misunderstood, vultures are nature’s most efficient clean-up crew. By rapidly disposing of carcasses, they prevent the spread of deadly diseases such as anthrax, botulism, and rabies. Without vultures, scavengers like feral dogs and rats—far less effective at preventing disease—would take their place, posing a serious risk to both human and animal populations.
Vulpro has been at the forefront of vulture rehabilitation since 2007, achieving a 75% survival rate for rescued birds. Their groundbreaking captive breeding programme, launched in 2013, has released 78 captive-bred vultures into the wild, actively contributing to population recovery.
“Vultures are nature’s misunderstood heroes, yet they face devastating population declines due to electrocutions, collisions with energy infrastructure, poisoning, trade for belief-based practices, habitat loss, and negative public perception,” Wolter explains. “By recognising them as crucial ecological guardians, we can re-write the story around vultures and inspire meaningful conservation.”
The sighting of over 80 wild Cape Vultures isn’t just good news – it’s a sign that with dedication, science, and community involvement, species on the brink of extinction can make a comeback. Vulpro’s continued efforts prove that conservation isn’t just about protecting wildlife; it’s about restoring balance to ecosystems and ensuring that future generations get to witness the soaring wings of vultures in the African sky.
For more information about Vulpro and how you can support vulture conservation, visit www.vulpro.com.
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