Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation and Vulpro recently released three Endangered vultures back into the wild. One of them is listed as Critically Endangered.
Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation recently had a request for assistance from the awesome folks at VulPro. They were in urgent need of some veterinary and general supplies for the unprecedented influx of injured vultures they have been treating. Of course, as with all Ethical Conservation Projects we believe in, we immediately made an effort to supply most of what was urgently needed.
When we went to deliver, we found that VulPro Founder, Kerri Wolter, had another trick up her sleeve – we were to help release 3 of the captive-bred vultures into Freedom. This would be the first time that these birds would fly free.
VulPro is the only vulture breeding centre on the African continent – the aim is to only breed for release into the wild. No animal will ever be traded, sold or supplied to zoos from this programme. Last year’s hatchlings consisted of ten birds being readied for Freedom – along with seven family members, ‘our’ three vultures had already spent a few weeks getting used to the massive soft-release structure on the side of the Magaliesberg Mountains. This was their big day! Two White-backed Vultures (Tags 394 & 369 – Endangered) and one Cape Vulture (Tag 317 – Critically Endangered) were released. All birds are tagged, but not all birds have tracking devices, due to financial constraints.
The experience of holding and releasing into the sky a bird as untouchable, strong and proud, as a vulture, is one of the highlights of our lives. When you let go of them, they move a few feet away but do not fly yet. The aim is to keep them as relaxed as possible – it’s a whole new world out there for them! This is also the reason why not all the babies are released at once – so that they can get used to the wide open space, and linger around their temporary home for a while. They have to fly when ready. The three lingered around for a bit, then two of them walked up to the top of the enclosure, closer to their family. There wasn’t a dry eye on the mountain when the first of the three finally soared.
We have big plans in working with VulPro on some interesting projects, so please keep your eyes open for our posts.
We cannot do this without your help. Thank you so much to all our supporters.
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