The Lowveld region of eastern South Africa plays a critical role in the protection of not only five species of Vulture, but also a large selection of diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey including Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Bateleur. A large swathe of land composed of privately owned nature reserves and farms, national parks, provincial nature reserves and community land come together to create the core of Greater Kruger Lowveld Vulture Safe Zone.

This VSZ centres around the highly-threatened riparian habitat along the Blyde River in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve. This VSZ also targets the vulture-rich landscape along the Olifants River and the Associated Private Nature Reserves eastwards into the Greater Kruger landscape. We focus on protecting a significant breeding population of Critically Endangered Hooded Vultures, some 158 breeding pairs, in this vital southern Africa stronghold. Here, we work with farmers, hunters, landowners, and reserve managers to phase out pervasive threats, such as the use of poisons and lead (from ammunition) from their properties, and identify and mitigate unsafe agricultural and energy infrastructure.

Wildlife poisoning in the Greater Kruger is a growing concern, as it is across Africa. The most significant impact is on Africa’s vultures, killing countless individuals and debilitating many others. The impact of mass-poisoning events in which vultures can gather on carcasses in their hundreds is catastrophic. We continued to improve the capacity and response to wildlife poisoning in the area through Wildlife Poisoning Response Training. We enhanced the identification, rescue, and administration of first aid to surviving vultures at poisoning events across the Lowveld VSZ. We also helped to develop Standard Operating Procedures for each reserve, enabling the effective identification, coordination, management, and decontamination of wildlife poisoning events in these areas.

The EWT Birds of Prey Programme aims to get commitment from landowners to create a network of properties that provide a safe haven for birds of prey, and so far, we have managed to gain commitment from landowners comprising an area of approximately 112,000 ha. The final aim of this project will be to integrate properties from the edge of the Kruger National Park through to the escarpment to allow for the long-term protection of birds of prey in the broader landscape.