1. Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis
110cm in length
6 kg
2.7m wingspan
Monogamous, solitary nesting birds
Roost/sleep on cliffs in mountainous areas
Nests in potholes >1800m a.s.l.
Scavenger- diet consists primarily of bone

2. Status of the Bearded Vulture in southern Africa
Category: Endangered
Rationale:
Based on the Bearded Vulture’s small and declining population size, restricted range, range contraction, and susceptibility to several threats in Lesotho and South Africa, it is classified as Endangered
(Barnes 2000).

3. Distribution in Southern Africa:
38% decline in breeding range
Historic:
Present: 1980s +

4. Numbers 25% reduction in number of breeding pairs in last 25-30 years
150 breeding pairs left in Lesotho and South Africa
About 30 pairs in KZN
birds in southern Africa

5. Activities Monitoring. Assessing Threats. Count day.
Breeding & feeding sites.
Assessing Threats.
Powerline interventions.
Poison interventions.
Food shortage.
Tracking movements.

6. Monitoring: Nest Sites
Nest sites monitored for status/breeding success.

7. Monitoring: Feeding Sites
Feeding sites monitored to determine age structure of population and temporal and spatial use of sites.

8. Monitoring: Annual Count Day
The annual Vulture Count Day on 4th September 2011.
An international awareness and monitoring exercise providing a minimum total count.

9. Addressing Threats: Powerlines
Two Bearded Vultures died colliding with powerlines in past 2 years.
Ezemvelo is assessing all powerlines and related structures in protected areas within the Bearded and Cape Vulture range and monitoring selected lines.
Several assessments and monitoring of powerlines in Lesotho.

10. Addressing Threats: Poisoning
Three Bearded Vulture poisoned in past 3 years (trcaked birds)EC.
Vaccines and dips used in Lesotho and RSA have been assessed.
EWT to run wildlife conflict management courses.
Alternatives to poison are being explored (sheep dogs).
Ezemvelo is making culling in reserves safer (lead).
Information on veterinary drugs disseminated.
Strategy being developed in Lesotho and RSA to deal with vulture harvest.

11. Addressing Threats: Food Shortage
Provision of food at vulture feeding sites.

12. Addressing Threats: Tracking Movements
2009:
5 satellite transmitters fitted to juvenile Bearded Vulture.
1 satellite transmitter fitted to immature Bearded Vulture.
1 satellite transmitter fitted to a Cape Vulture.
2010:
1 satellite transmitter fitted to juvenile Bearded Vulture.
2 satellite transmitters fitted to adult Bearded Vulture.
1 GPS transmitter fitted to a Cape Vulture.

15. Acknowledgements