First Hooded Vulture Chick Confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal, Marking Conservation Milestone
A hooded vulture nest with a chick has been discovered in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa—the southernmost recorded breeding site for the critically endangered species. The finding was made during a routine aerial survey in Zululand and confirms longstanding suspicions by conservationists that the region supports breeding populations. The discovery has been hailed as a rare conservation success for African vultures, which face severe threats across the continent.
The nest was identified by Wildlife ACT, a KwaZulu-Natal-based conservation organisation, and highlights a significant southward expansion of the species’ known breeding range. Conservationists also observed positive trends in other vulture species, including a slight rise in lappet-faced vulture nests and growing colonies of African white-backed vultures. Ongoing monitoring and protection efforts, including potential additional surveys and private landowner collaboration, are expected to bolster regional conservation strategies for South Africa’s threatened vulture populations.
Source: News Mongabay
