In a devastating blow to South Africa’s wildlife, at least 123 vultures have died in a mass poisoning incident in Kruger National Park, with 84 others rescued in a race against time. The poisoning, linked to an elephant carcass laced with agricultural pesticides, marks one of the worst mass wildlife poisoning events recorded in the region.
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More than 120 vultures have died in one of the worst mass poisoning events recorded in the Kruger National Park, after feeding on the poisoned carcass of an elephant killed by poachers.
SANParks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) confirmed that a total of 123 vultures perished, including endangered and critically endangered species such as white-backed vultures, Cape vultures, hooded vultures and a lappet-faced vulture.
Eighty-four vultures were found alive but in critical condition. Thanks to a rapid and coordinated rescue operation involving SANParks rangers, EWT officials, veterinary teams, helicopters, and a specialised “vulture ambulance,” 83 of the birds survived after intensive emergency treatment.
The rescue operation took place in the park’s Mahlangeni section and involved two ground teams, 12 vehicles and aerial support.
Birds were administered atropine to counteract the effects of the poison, as well as activated charcoal and fluid therapy. A delicate procedure was also used to flush ingested toxins.
Of the 84 rescued vultures, 45 were transported by road in the vulture ambulance, while 39 were airlifted to care facilities. Five birds succumbed to the poison despite treatment.
As per AP, Vulture conservation organisation Vulpro, which had no involvement in the rescue, said the poisoning came at the start of the breeding season and many other birds that weren’t found at the site could still be affected.
Vultures are often collateral damage in the illegal wildlife trade, where their presence circling above poaching sites can alert rangers.
Gareth Tate, head of EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme, said: “Vultures are being systematically removed from the landscape,” as per The Daily Maverick.
“This is intentional genocide of vultures. It’s absolutely malicious and a silent killer.” The ecological fallout from such events is severe.
Vultures play a vital role in ecosystems by consuming carcasses and helping prevent the spread of disease. Their loss disrupts this balance, potentially leading to increased disease transmission among wildlife and even humans.
“This horrific incident is part of a broader crisis unfolding across southern Africa: the escalating use of poisons in wildlife poaching,” SANParks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust said in a joint statement.
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