Historic News from VulPro@Shamwari!

We are beyond ecstatic to announce the arrival of the first-ever Cape vulture and first white-backed vulture chicks born in captivity in the Eastern Cape, right here at VulPro@Shamwari!

These precious hatchlings born in June and July respectively, are a milestone in our mission to protect and restore vulture populations. These tiny yet mighty chicks embody hope and the incredible success of the VulPro@Shamwari breeding programme.

Vulpro is the only vulture conservation organisation of its kind in Africa and is spearheading population restocking and supplementation to address the severe decline of African vulture species.Vulture offspring will be released at Shamwari in keeping with its ethos of restoring the indigenous fauna and flora on the reserve to what it once was. All these birds will be fitted with tracking devices.

Shamwari CEO, Joe Cloete, said the Cape Vulture is indigenous in the Eastern Cape and essential for the ecological balance in the veld. “The vultures keep the veld clean,” he said.

Joe Cloete added by saying that the guests at Shamwari Game Reserve were very taken with the birds. “Everybody wants to see the vultures.”

He said it was great news that the young vultures released as part of the project had stayed in Shamwari. “The other day I watched 10 or 12 of them fly. This is excellent news for us."