To ensure project continuity and professionalism, the African Raptor Trust provides legal and the fiduciary framework behind the Bearded Vulture Breeding Programme operations.

South Africa has one of the most diverse varieties of birds of prey found anywhere in the world. Even though 81 raptor species live alongside us every day, most people are unaware that they even exist, or that many human activities threaten their survival.

Just under a quarter of these magnificent birds are now listed in the Red Data Book as rare, threatened or endangered. Active conservation management is required to ensure their survival. Birds of prey are important indicators of environmental stability. Being at the top of the food chain, their presence in a habitat shows that all the lower elements of that ecosystem remain intact. A healthy environment is as important to humans as it is to raptors. So, by taking measures to protect these birds, we are in fact ensuring the sustainability of our own living requirements.

Established in 2005, the African Raptor Trust (ART) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that supports this cause.

For many years the ART offices were based at the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary in KwaZulu-Natal and supported three vital aspects of raptor conservation during this time.

1.  Due to the threatened status of many raptor species, there is support value to the species as a whole if conflict casualties are actively treated. To this end a dedicated raptor treatment facility Raptor Rescue was developed and approximately 150 birds of prey were treated annually. Biologist and longtime raptor rehabilitator Ben Hoffman works with veterinarian Dr Oliver Tatham to become leaders in the field of African raptor veterinary and rehabilitation practice.
2. The African Raptor Trust supported formal youth environmental education and the public awareness work of the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary for 18 years until closure. This took place primarily at the bird park facility which was located on the Lion Park Road in KZN, just off the N3 highway, within easy access of both KZN’s major cities and sought to prevent the factors that threaten birds of prey.
3. From 2015 the Bearded Vulture Breeding Programme was launched and supported and is now the African Raptor Trust’s primary programme, adding conservation breeding to its repertoire. The smaller size of the African Raptor Trust allows for a targeted approach into pro-active conservation actions and facilitates a range of donor participation. No donor support is too big, or too small, on the path to avert species extinction as our Bearded Vultures are “Bred 4 the Wild”.