Celebrating World Wildlife Day at the Potberg Cape Vulture colony
By Lusanda Gqaza and Yanga Mbatana (Environmental Education Officers, De Hoop Nature Reserve)
On 20 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), proclaimed 03 March (the day of adopting the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, in 1973), as World Wildlife Day. This is a day that recognizes and encourages symbiotic relations between humans and ecosystems. This year the international theme is Forests and Livelihoods.
It is especially appropriate to celebrate an important species that CapeNature has been conserving and monitoring for many years, the Cape vulture, Gyps copotheres, an endangered species found in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Mozambique. CapeNature’s De Hoop Nature Reserve, and in particular the Potberg mountains, serve as the only habitat with a viable population of the Cape vulture in the Western Cape.
This species requires close monitoring to evaluate whether or not the population is increasing. Monitoring of the vultures is done by Ornithologist Kevin Shaw and his team. Surveys are done every year, once a month depending on the weather conditions, between April and September. During these surveys, free-flying vultures, fledglings and breeding pairs are counted. Over the years there has been an increase in the number of vultures found at Potberg, from 70 vultures in 1955 to over 300 birds in 2019 (free flying birds only). The number of breeding pairs and fledglings have also increased over the years and 64 fledglings were recorded in 2019. But just as for many other wildlife species, Cape vultures still face serious threats such as loss of habitat and poisoning.
CapeNature continues to play a vital role in conserving and closely monitoring the vultures with hope that the population will continue to increase and with that the IUCN status of this special species will eventually change from endangered to least concern.
Related News
CapeNature shines bright at WTM as attendance grows
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa concluded with impressive momentum, reflecting a 53% increase in attendees, indicating robust growth in African tourism.
Rare plant monitoring at Waterval Nature Reserve
Waterval Nature Reserve is home to an incredible variety of special plant species, one of which is the Critically Endangered Sorocephalus imbricatus. One of the populations is very heavily overgrown with Pinus pinaster.
CapeNature’s Stony Point now daily on WildEarth TV
“Penguin Beach” is an expert-hosted live and interactive experience with the colony of penguins. Viewers can follow regular characters within this colony in real time and ask the experts of CapeNature and WildEarth questions via Twitter and a chat option. This one of a kind LIVE experience on WildEarth allows viewers to watch it daily throughout the year, following specific characters as they grow from being newborns to fully fledged adults.
CapeNature and Dyer Island Conservation Trust – Strategic partnership yields multiple conservation benefits in the Overberg region
The African penguin is on the brink of possible extinction in the wild within the next decade. Partnerships are vital in the ongoing effort to stabilise the African penguin population numbers.
Focus on spiders
Halloween, with its focus on terrifying creatures such as spiders, is just behind us. It’s a good time to think about our attitudes to spiders and some of the reasons to protect rather than kill them.
CapeNature urges the public to practice fire safety this fire season
CapeNature responded to 76 fires resulting in 31 198.7 hectares of natural and other veld burnt during the 2020/21 fire season. As we enter the 2021/22 fire season, CapeNature appeals to the public to help prevent fires and report smoke or fire.
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?