A study of the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa.

Abstract

The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus has experienced a

substantial decrease in range in southern Africa during this

century. The present population, numbering about 200 pairs,

is confined mainly to the highlands of Lesotho and the Natal

Drakensberg. In these areas the birds breed successfully

(about 0,9 young/pair/year) and non-adult birds

about 36% of the total population.

constitute

The food supply was found not to be responsible for the

decline of Bearded Vultures on commercial farming areas in

South Africa. The use of poisons by farmers for the control

of mammalian predators is considered to be the most important

factor leading to the extinction of Bearded Vultures and

other scavenging species on farmlands.

Adult Bearded Vultures forage over an area of about

but were recorded up to 75 km from the nest. They

feed exclusively on carrion, at least 75% of which is derived

from domestic animals. Present conservation areas are not

large enough to contain the entire ranges of any pairs of

these birds or to supply sufficient food to support a viable

population throughout the year. The birds therefore have to

forage over commercial farmlands in South Africa and communal

areas in Lesotho.

This study, designed to be as broad-based as possible,

covers in detail the following aspects of Bearded Vulture

biology; age related characteristics, home range and

movements, feeding ecology, breeding biology, behaviour away

from the nest, energetics, distribution, status and

population dynamics and their conservation. In conclusion,

recommendations on the management and monitoring of the

population are offered.