help us build a Vulture Ambulance to save poisoned vultures
Thousands of vultures are being poisoned across Africa, devastating populations and driving them rapidly towards extinction in the wild.
With the current rate of decline in population numbers, this could happen within the next five years. EVERY. BIRD. COUNTS. To respond to the relentless surge in wildlife poisoning throughout the Greater Kruger region, the EWT urgently needs funds to build aVulture Ambulance.
The last ten years have seen a steady increase in wildlife poisoning across the Lowveld of South Africa. The Greater Kruger, surrounding reserves, and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTCA) form a vulture-rich landscape in which these birds play a critical role. It is also a high-risk area for wildlife poisoning, with approximately 600 vultures from five threatened species killed in the area since January 2019. The most recent event in August 2022 claimed the lives of 108 threatened vultures.
What is a Vulture Ambulance?
A Vulture Ambulance is a vital mobile station to treat and transport poisoned vultures and give them the best chance of survival.
Why we need a Vulture Ambulance
Saving poisoned vultures is not easy. Responders must administer first aid immediately to stabilise surviving birds, provide antidotes to common poisons, and flush birds’ crops to remove poisons and replace fluids. The birds then need a cool, quiet place to rest during the trip to the rehabilitation centre, which can be well over eight hours’ travel from the poisoning sites. In some cases, we have to overnight in the field, where the trailer becomes even more vital.
A mobile Vulture Ambulance stationed strategically within high-risk areas can transport multiple birds in modular, easy-to-remove crates that can be accessed without disturbing other resting birds. The trailer will include a mobile clinic and first aid station, costing R144,129. It will provide everything we need to rapidly and successfully rescue, treat, and transport poisoned vultures, significantly increasing the number of birds that survive these catastrophic events.
How you can help save vultures
You can help by donating to support this important work. Like you, we would hate to see the African skies without these charismatic birds circling above us, and we are grateful for your support.
