Vulture Custodians

Vultures around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. In Africa, some vulture populations have declined by over 90% in the last three decades, with six of the eleven African vulture species being classified as either endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red list. This is extremely concerning as these birds play a vital role in our ecosystem, filling a niche unmatched by any other animal. Through scavenging on carcasses, vultures control the spread of communicable diseases across a landscape. Diseases like botulism, rabies, and anthrax can all be consumed safely by vultures thus preventing their spread. Previous examples of devastation to human health and economy due to declines in vulture populations serve as a warning for our society if we do not act rapidly to prevent further declines in our vulture populations. Both the natural environment and our human societies depend on these birds. Unfortunately, despite their importance, vultures face dozens of anthropogenic threats on a daily basis. In addition to powerline electrocutions and collisions, habitat degradation, and unintentional poisoning, these birds are intentionally poisoned by poachers attempting to cover their tracks or captured for use in traditional healing practices.

At VulPro we use a multifaceted approach to conserve our African vultures with programmes aimed at rescue and rehabilitation, captive breeding for population supplementation, and research. However, we believe effective conservation is only possible with the help of local communities. To save these species from extinction, vultures need to be protected by the people who share their environment. As such, VulPro’s school and community education programme, Vulture Custodians, aims to raise awareness about the importance of vultures and their conservation among the next generation of environmental stewards.

The Vulture Custodians programme targets schools and communities in areas surrounding vulture colonies, many with a known market for vulture parts. Through engaging presentations and fun interactive activities, we teach students about vulture biology, behaviour, and ecological importance. We also emphasize the threats facing vultures and the ways in which individuals can become a Vulture Custodian and take action to protect them. Through education and awareness, we hope to address the stigmas and opinions held within communities about vultures. Additionally, we believe that by instilling a respect and appreciation for vultures in children, we can create a generation of individuals who value our natural world and protect it into the future.

This programme will not only be conducted in person at participating schools and communities where possible, but also as an online webinar series in order to extend our reach as far as possible across Africa. The online programme will include an interactive tour of our rehabilitation facility and a live viewing of our vulture restaurant from our hide. We will build a partnership with each school and community in the programme and return multiple times within each year to ensure a sustained and effective relationship.

The funding will be used for all aspects of our school education programme. During our first phase of this programme, we aim to form partnerships with two schools (one high school and one primary school) from three areas around three vulture colonies (namely Blouberg, Skeerpoort and Potchefstroom), and to visit these schools a minimum of two times over the course of one year to present our programme. We also aim to engage as many schools and community groups as possible through our online programme.

The expenses involved in this programme will include:

The design and printing of educational materials, including colourful and engaging activity booklets for primary school children and informative booklets for high school students.
Educational games and materials to facilitate interactive activities. Such games include block tower sets or ‘Jenga’ to illustrate the connected structure of an ecological system. As the audience groups can be 500 or more students, multiple sets are required to ensure that each student is engaged with.
Transportation costs for our team members to travel to the six schools in the three selected areas to facilitate the programme.
Accommodation costs for our team members when visiting the two schools in Blouberg.
Internet and cell services to conduct the online webinar series and to organise the school visits, accommodation, games and educational materials.

by VulPro

South Africa Environment Education

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Your First 3 Challenges

Project activity

Funded to date:

R 59,268

Funding goal: R 120,000

NGO: VulPro

Start: 1st April 2023

End: 27th February 2024

PBO: 930038988

NPO: 2011/127419/08

Field agent: Kerri Wolter
admin@vulpro.com

Activists: (6)

Vulture Custodians

by VulPro

South Africa Environment Education

#doDifferent

Please help by sharing this project

It's easy to be an ACTIVIST

#doDifferent

Your First 3 Challenges

Project activity

Funded to date:

R 59,268

Funding goal: R 120,000

NGO: VulPro

Start: 1st April 2023

End: 27th February 2024

PBO: 930038988

NPO: 2011/127419/08

Field agent: Kerri Wolter admin@vulpro.com

Activists: (6)

Field agent: Kerri Wolter
admin@vulpro.com