Rangers attending to the vulture carcasses.
A total of 123 vultures had been killed in one poisoning incident in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Another 84 were rescued.
Most of those killed are on the endangered and critically endangered species lists.
According to the spokesperson for SANParks, Isaac Phaahla, this was one of the worst incidents of mass killings. The vultures died after ingesting highly toxic agrochemical pesticides found in the carcass of an elephant. The surviving birds were rescued through collaboration by a joint team of SANParks rangers and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) officials.
Phaahla said the EWT’s wildlife poisoning detection system in the Mahlangeni Section of the Park, triggered an alarm at 06:05 on May 6. “The system flags suspicious activity in remote sections of the KNP. The joint team was on site within two hours. We suspect vultures are killed for certain body parts.”
The rescue operation has been hailed as world-class. Support teams from the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner Veterinary Services and Wildscapes Veterinary Services also assisted. Aerial and logistical helicopter support from the Hope for Wildlife organisation joined those of SANParks.
Three of South Africa’s nine endemic vulture species are now listed as Critically Endangered. Poisoning is the primary cause of vulture deaths across Africa. Body parts are used by traditional healers, sangomas and for other continental religious beliefs.
“Despite our best efforts, five more died while being treated. However, a remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved among those found alive. As of this morning, May 8, 83 vultures are still alive and recovering. A National Wildlife tragedy of this scale is staggering. It became the most extensive coordinated response effort and rescue event to date, with more than 20 individuals across conservation, veterinary, various NGO’s and enforcement sectors, involved,” Phaahla said.
“The growing threat of poison poaching is part of a broader crisis unfolding across southern Africa. Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species, not just vultures, but also lions, whose body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine or muthi. This incident is a further setback to the KNP’s vulture population which is still trying to recover from similar incidents in the past,” he said.
In an effort to curb vulture poisoning, SANParks is collaborating with various agencies and institutions to address the increase in poisoning incidents.
The latest operation highlights the importance of these partnerships. “We commend every individual who responded to this tragedy. Their courage, skill and relentless commitment transformed a potential extinction-level event into one of the most successful vulture rescues ever recorded.
The operation saw helicopters making multiple trips between the incident site and Phalaborwa throughout the day to assist with movement of the vultures,” concluded Phaahla.
The final statistics:
* 84 vultures including White-backed, Cape and Hooded Vultures—were rescued and are still alive.
• 45 were transported by the EWT’s vulture ambulance, a specialised mobile unit, designed to stabilise poisoned birds en route to treatment facilities.
* 39 were airlifted by helicopter to the SANParks K9 facility in Phalaborwa for monitoring.
* A final group was transported during the night to Moholoholo for continued intensive care.
* Teams included vets from Wildscapes and Briner Veterinary Services, as well as the Moholoholo team. They worked through the night to stabilize each bird and keep them alive.
