Help save our vultures, keep your eyes open

MORE than 25 years ago Dr Charles Clinning, the then ornithologist for Nature Conservation in Namibia, wrote an article titled ‘How long before Vultures Become Extinct’.

Clinning described the six known vulture species that occur in Namibia and noted then that the Egyptian Vulture had become so rare that any sighting of that species caused a stir in birdwatching and ornithological circles. He also noted that 300 Cape Vultures were counted in 1969 on the northern cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau Park, and that just a decade later in 1979 only 15 birds were counted.Since 1979 further decreases in the population sizes of vultures are known to have occurred in Namibia and other African countries.The White-backed Vultures remain the most common vulture in Namibia.The Lappet-faced Vultures are far fewer in number but are also regularly seen.All the other species are very rarely seen in Namibia.Over the past decades, locally and globally much has happened for the conservation of birds of prey, but the question “How long before Vultures Become Extinct” is a constant reminder of the risks to some species in a fast changing world.Monitoring a population of animals is a first step in managing their health.In order to halt the extinction of any species innovative methods of following movements and activities and of identifying individuals in the population have been used.In Namibia and other SADC countries, vultures have been marked with leg rings for decades.In fact, the very first bird-ringing project in southern Africa was with Cape Vultures in 1948.The first rings used on vultures were a simple stainless steel metal band with a number engraved onto the band.Later, coloured plastic rings were added and vultures that were caught would leave the ringer’s hands with no less than six colour-coded identification rings adorning their legs.However, this did not always help with identification from a distance as the plastic colour rings faded or even perished and fell off.The leg rings also got dirty and identifying the colours using binoculars became impossible after a few years.Since 2006 a new identification method has been used on vultures and other large birds such as pelicans.This new method has been copied from the simple farm animal identification ear tag.The ear tag is an essential primary step in the traceability of meat.Recently ear tags have become mandatory in Namibia for livestock destined for the export meat market to the European Union.In birds the ear tag has been modified to create a wing tag.Wing tags are attached through the patagium of a bird’s wing.The tags have been tested over years on birds that fly long distances on migration and no ill effects have been recorded.The wing-tag used for identification of migrant eagles has resulted in excellent conservation information.One Namibian ornithologist, who wing-tagged migrant Wahlberg’s Eagles, was rewarded with the first records of “our” birds wintering in central Sudan.Given the size of Namibia and the enormous distances birds can fly, the resighting of an individual wing-tagged bird is not a given.Wing-tagging has great potential for conservation, but this potential depends on reports and the more people who look the greater the chances of a resighting.The letters and or numbers on the tags are large and boldly printed so that they can be read from a distance.Remembering that birds do not see boundaries, look out for tags on vultures and pelicans in all southern African countries.All Namibians and visitors to Namibia can become involved in these conservation projects by reporting on tagged birds that they see.Please note the number and colour of the wing tag, as well as the date, time and place and any other information.Reports can be sent to Holger +264 61 2842554 holgerk@mweb.com.na, or Wilfred +264 67 229854 versfeld@mweb.com.na, or Peter +264 64 220443 pmbridge@iway.na, or Dirk +264 61 232300 photographer@mweb.com.na or Mark +264 64 402765 felix@mweb.com.na or Liz +264 61 264409 liz@narrec.schoolnet.naHe also noted that 300 Cape Vultures were counted in 1969 on the northern cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau Park, and that just a decade later in 1979 only 15 birds were counted.Since 1979 further decreases in the population sizes of vultures are known to have occurred in Namibia and other African countries.The White-backed Vultures remain the most common vulture in Namibia.The Lappet-faced Vultures are far fewer in number but are also regularly seen.All the other species are very rarely seen in Namibia.Over the past decades, locally and globally much has happened for the conservation of birds of prey, but the question “How long before Vultures Become Extinct” is a constant reminder of the risks to some species in a fast changing world.Monitoring a population of animals is a first step in managing their health.In order to halt the extinction of any species innovative methods of following movements and activities and of identifying individuals in the population have been used.In Namibia and other SADC countries, vultures have been marked with leg rings for decades.In fact, the very first bird-ringing project in southern Africa was with Cape Vultures in 1948.The first rings used on vultures were a simple stainless steel metal band with a number engraved onto the band.Later, coloured plastic rings were added and vultures that were caught would leave the ringer’s hands with no less than six colour-coded identification rings adorning their legs.However, this did not always help with identification from a distance as the plastic colour rings faded or even perished and fell off.The leg rings also got dirty and identifying the colours using binoculars became impossible after a few years.Since 2006 a new identification method has been used on vultures and other large birds such as pelicans.This new method has been copied from the simple farm animal identification ear tag.The ear tag is an essential primary step in the traceability of meat.Recently ear tags have become mandatory in Namibia for livestock destined for the export meat market to the European Union.In birds the ear tag has been modified to create a wing tag.Wing tags are attached through the patagium of a bird’s wing.The tags have been tested over years on birds that fly long distances on migration and no ill effects have been recorded.The wing-tag used for identification of migrant eagles has resulted in excellent conservation information.One Namibian ornithologist, who wing-tagged migrant Wahlberg’s Eagles, was rewarded with the first records of “our” birds wintering in central Sudan.Given the size of Namibia and the enormous distances birds can fly, the resighting of an individual wing-tagged bird is not a given.Wing-tagging has great potential for conservation, but this potential depends on reports and the more people who look the greater the chances of a resighting.The letters and or numbers on the tags are large and boldly printed so that they can be read from a distance.Remembering that birds do not see boundaries, look out for tags on vultures and pelicans in all southern African countries.All Namibians and visitors to Namibia can become involved in these conservation projects by reporting on tagged birds that they see.Please note the number and colour of the wing tag, as well as the date, time and place and any other information.Reports can be sent to Holger +264 61 2842554 holgerk@mweb.com.na, or Wilfred +264 67 229854 versfeld@mweb.com.na, or Peter +264 64 220443 pmbridge@iway.na, or Dirk +264 61 232300 photographer@mweb.com.na or Mark +264 64 402765 felix@mweb.com.na or Liz +264 61 264409 liz@narrec.schoolnet.na