Over 120 Vultures Poisoned, 80 Rescued in South African Game Reserve
One of Southern Africa’s Worst Vulture Poisonings Linked to Poaching for Traditional Medicine
- Over 120 vultures found dead from poisoning in Kruger National Park
- Poachers likely used toxins to target vultures for traditional medicine
- More than 80 vultures rescued
Over 80 vultures were rescued from a mass poisoning in South Africa’s Kruger National Park this week, thanks to the efforts of park rangers and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Unfortunately, more than 120 vultures couldn’t be saved in what is being described as one of the largest vulture poisoning incidents in Southern Africa.
Officials from South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust suspect poachers are responsible, as they increasingly use agricultural poisons to target animals whose body parts are sought for traditional medicine.
Among the rescued vultures were endangered and critically endangered species, including the white-backed vulture. The swift rescue operation was aided by a wildlife-poisoning detection system set up in a remote part of Kruger National Park.
Rangers, alerted to suspicious activity, found 116 vultures dead near an elephant carcass that had been poisoned. Tragically, the death toll rose to 123 as more vultures succumbed to the poison while being transported to rehabilitation.
SANParks spokesperson Ike Phaahla expressed concern over the incident, noting that vultures breed only once a year, making the loss even more devastating.
