In a race against time, conservationists in Northern Zululand rescued, rehabilitated and released two critically endangered African White-backed Vultures and a juvenile Bateleur after a devastating poisoning incident… turning tragedy into a powerful story of survival.
Northern Zululand, South Africa (25 February 2025) – In a moment of hope following a devastating poisoning incident, two critically endangered African White-backed Vultures and a juvenile Bateleur have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
Their survival is thanks to the swift action and expertise of dedicated conservationists who refused to let tragedy have the final say.
The ordeal began in early November 2024 when rangers from Somkhanda Game Reserve, while on routine patrol, discovered a mass poisoning event. The Zululand Vulture Project immediately alerted Wildlife ACT’s Emergency Response team, and what they found was heartbreaking – several vultures had already succumbed. However, three birds were still alive, barely holding on, displaying severe poisoning symptoms. Their only chance at survival depended on immediate intervention.
Wildlife ACT’s team, working alongside Somkhanda rangers, wasted no time. They carefully captured the weakened birds and administered first aid on-site to counter the effects of the poison.
“It is essential to respond to events like these as quickly as possible and to provide treatment immediately, both to prevent further casualties and to hopefully save birds that have not yet succumbed to the effects of the poison. Timely intervention not only increases the chances of recovery but also prevents further harm to the ecosystem, ensuring that these endangered species have a fighting chance at survival,” said Chris du Toit, Wildlife ACT Emergency Response & Somkhanda Project Conservation Coordinator.
One of the African White-backed Vultures was in critical condition, requiring urgent specialist care. A Heligistix helicopter was swiftly deployed to airlift the bird to the Zululand Wildlife Treatment Centre, run by Kifaru Wildlife Veterinary Services. There, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mike Toft and his team provided lifesaving care. The other two birds, once stabilised, were also transported to the centre for continued treatment.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable.
Over the next several weeks, all three birds made an inspiring recovery under the dedicated care of the veterinary team. The juvenile Bateleur, proving to be a fighter, bounced back quickly and was released within two weeks, fitted with a GPS tracker to monitor its movements.
The two African White-backed Vultures took longer to regain their strength but, after more than a month of rehabilitation, were also released back into the wild. Before their release, Wildlife ACT and the Zululand Vulture Project fitted the birds with GPS tracking devices and ring tags, ensuring their safety while also gathering valuable data on their post-release behaviour.
Vultures play an irreplaceable role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. As nature’s clean-up crew, they prevent the spread of disease by consuming carcasses that would otherwise rot and contaminate the environment. However, incidents like this highlight the ongoing threats they face – poisoning, both accidental and intentional, remains a serious concern.
“While we are delighted by the recovery of the birds that survived this mass poisoning event, we remain deeply troubled by the significant numbers of vultures that continue to be affected by the widespread illegal use of poisons and intentional vulture poisonings for body parts in Zululand. These birds are an essential component of our ecosystem, and we remain dedicated to promoting human-wildlife coexistence through advocacy and awareness initiatives,” said Anel Oliver, Wildlife ACT Species Conservation Director.
While the poisoning event was a stark reminder of the challenges endangered birds face, the rescue, rehabilitation, and successful release of these three birds highlight the power of conservation efforts. It is a story of teamwork, resilience and a commitment to protecting our wildlife.
Beyond saving individual birds, this effort sends a strong message – through collaboration, law enforcement, and education, we can fight back against wildlife crimes and safeguard these incredible species for future generations.
And for the three birds soaring once more over Zululand, this second chance at life is a triumph not just for them but for all who work tirelessly to keep our skies full of wings.
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