Cape Town – Vulture populations have declined considerably across Africa over the past 30 years, with some facing varying threats of extinction.
In an effort to save the species, the Draft Multi-species Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for Vultures in South Africa has been developed and is open for public comment.
The BMP was published in Government Gazette 47632 (Notice No 2817) on December 2, in terms of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
Members of the public have 30 days to submit comments to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
“Africa is home to 11 of the 15 species of what are known as Old World vultures.
“These birds play a crucial role in the environments in which they live by cleaning up animal carcasses in the veld, thus helping ecosystems to remain healthy,” the department said.
“Vulture populations have declined considerably in most range states in Africa in the past 30 years.
“Because of a lack of collective and decisive action these declines are continuing.
“The situation in South Africa, which is home to nine vulture species, is not unique.
“Of the nine species found in South Africa, seven have been known to have established breeding populations in the species range state. All of these face varying threats of extinction.
“The cliff-nesting species are the bearded vulture and the Cape vulture, while tree-nesting species include the hooded vulture, white-backed vulture, lappet-faced vulture, white-headed vulture and palm-nut vulture.
“The Egyptian vulture, although once considered a resident breeding species, has not bred within South Africa since the 1920’s and is considered a non-breeding species for the purpose of this BMP,” the department said.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (2021), three of the seven vulture species that breed in South Africa have moved from globally vulnerable or endangered to critically endangered from the 2014 to 2015 assessment periods.
These are the white-headed, hooded and white-backed vultures.
The department said that as a result of the continued decline in vulture populations, a biodiversity management plan for vulture species in South Africa had been developed through a consultation process.
This would be achieved through the reduction of the key threats facing the species, including intentional and unintentional poisoning, collisions with power lines and other energy infrastructure, habitat change, stakeholder involvement with communities including traditional medicine practitioners.
The public is invited to submit written comments on the Draft Biodiversity Management Plan to the following addresses:
By post to: The Director-General: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Attention: Ms Humbulani Mafumo
Private Bag X447; PRETORIA 0001
By hand at: Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083
By email to: [email protected]
The Draft BMP for Vultures can be accessed at: https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nemba_multispecies.bmp_southafricanvultures_g47632gon2817.pdf
Cape Times