The International Vulture Awareness Day’s aim is to highlight the important work being carried out by the world’s vulture conservationists.

Vultures form an important ecological component of our natural environment and vulture populations are under pressure with some species are facing extinction.

There were eleven species of vulture in Africa, now there are ten. Southern Africa has 9 species with one Endemic the Cape Vulture or Cape Griffon – Gyps coprotheres – all are under threat.

Vultures of Southern Africa: -

Palm-nut Vulture – Gypohierax angolensis

Cape Vulture – Gyps coprotheres

White-backed Vulture – Gyps africanus

Hooded Vulture – Necrosyrtes monachus

White-headed Vulture – Aegypius occipitalis

Lappet-Faced Vulture – Aegypius tracheliotos

Bearded Vulture – Gypaetus barbatus

Egyptian Vulture – Neophron percnopterus

Ruppell’s Vulture – Gyps rueppellii

Vultures are as much a part of the African wilderness as zebra or wildebeest.

These majestic birds can be seen on certain of the Aves Birding Tours/ Safaris/Adventures.