The VulPro @ Shamwari Vulture Breeding Programme is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in vulture conservation. The partnership between Shamwari Private Game Reserve and VulPro is dedicated to reversing the decline of Africa’s vulture species through innovative breeding and population restocking.
The programme was launched at the beginning of the year (2024). More than 160 Cape and African White-backed vultures were moved 1 040 km from VulPro’s facility at Hartebeespoort in the north of South Africa to Shamwari in the Eastern Cape. It was the largest relocation of vultures ever.
Significant Milestones
The breeding programme has recently seen significant milestones. Among them is the arrival of a pair of African Egyptian Vultures from San Diego, USA. These birds will eventually help reintroduce vultures to Shamwari as part of the reserve’s commitment to restoring its indigenous wildlife.
In June and July, VulPro @ Shamwari witnessed another major achievement. This is when the first-ever Cape vulture and white-backed vulture chicks hatched in captivity in the Eastern Cape. The chicks represent the hope and future of vulture conservation in the region.
Last month, VulPro founder Kerri Wolter received the SANParks Women in Conservation Award for her outstanding work in preserving vultures. Her leadership continues to drive the success of the breeding programme. VulPro is the leading vulture conservation programme for advancing knowledge, awareness and innovation in the conservation of African vultures.
Landmark Achievement
The VulPro @ Shamwari facility consists of four enclosures. Each one is designed to serve different functions in the breeding and rehabilitation process. One is for injured birds and another for breeding pairs. There is also a semi-flighted enclosure with breeding ledges as well as a pre-release area for young vultures.
Shamwari CEO Joe Cloete views the establishment of VulPro @ Shamwari as a landmark achievement for the reserve.
“In conservation terms I consider this as significant as relocating 160 rhino. I cannot overstate how reintroducing Cape Vultures to Shamwari is crucial to our conservation journey and enhancing the ecological importance of the reserve and the Eastern Cape.”
