Project Phase 3 – Supplementing the In-situ Population
The culminating project phase will be when the progeny of this captive (ex-situ) group will be released into the wild annually by a hacking method at 90 days of age. Release sites will be specially identified at supported locations throughout the species home range . Post-fledge the young birds’ progress will be monitored through satellite tracking devices as they integrate with and bolster the remaining wild (in-situ) population.
The Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) in Europe has an ongoing and successful captive breeding and reintroduction programme for their northern Bearded vulture sub-species (Gypaetus barbatus barbatus). Since 1978 the VCF has in fact, bred and released more birds in Europe than southern Africa has left in the wild.
With the support of the VCF, and based on their proven management techniques, we hope to combine the stability of their established framework with the adaptive management required in our African context, to replicate their conservation success.
