The Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Vulture Safe Zone is a collaborative project between South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. In collaboration with colleagues from Raptors Botswana, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has been pioneering the protection of birds of prey in this region. At its core is the Limpopo River, the lifeblood of the area and a long ribbon of riparian habitat providing breeding place for a wide range of birds of prey, and in particular White-backed Vultures and Pel’s Fishing Owls. Although only in its second year of active work, the South African component of this project has already seen the commitment from over 54,000 ha of land towards the establishment of this safe zone.

A great deal of work, however will be needed to see the area reach its full potential of stretching to the East towards the Kruger National Park, as well as further South to the Soutpansberg mountains and Blouberg Nature Reserve, which holds the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world, numbering more than 1,200 pairs.

The Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier VSZ, launched in October 2020, includes significant vulture breeding habitat along the Limpopo River, linking vulture-rich sites in South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. This is Africa’s first transboundary VSZ. We have identified key implementing parties in each country, including BirdLife Botswana and BirdLife Zimbabwe, who will join the EWT and Raptors Botswana to build this VSZ.

Our initial funding through the Bio-Bridge Initiative allowed us to launch landowner engagements, site assessments, and undertake wildlife poisoning response training within Botswana’s Tuli Block landscape. These activities spanned the Northern Tuli Game Reserve and Limpopo Lipadi Private Game and Wilderness Reserve, covering approximately 72,000 ha. In South Africa, 90,000 ha of properties running 180 km west of Mapungubwe National Park have also pledged to support the VSZ. They will manage their properties in a vulture-friendly manner and work with the team to remove key threats to vultures over the next two years. The EWT has also initiated Wildlife Poisoning Response Training within critical sites within this VSZ.