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Meet the Vulpro Team

At the heart of Vulpro is a team of passionate individuals united by a common purpose: to protect, rehabilitate and champion some of the continent’s most misunderstood yet ecologically vital birds.

From seasoned wildlife experts and field-hands to researchers and support staff, each person brings unique skills, experience and dedication to the mission of safeguarding vulture populations, advancing scientific knowledge, and inspiring communities to value these remarkable creatures.

Together, they form the backbone of Vulpro’s work – combining expertise, compassion and relentless commitment to ensure vultures not only survive, but thrive.

Our Team

Kerri Wolter

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Kerri discovered her true calling in conservation after leaving corporate life to join a vulture conservation group. Initially unfamiliar with the species, she quickly became captivated by their intelligence, beauty, and ecological importance…

That first encounter with a young vulture revealed her mission: to protect these maligned birds and raise public awareness of their vital role in Africa’s ecosystems.

Over the past 20 years, Kerri has dedicated her life to African vulture conservation through rehabilitation, captive breeding, research, and education. She has led Vulpro in pioneering programmes to supplement wild populations, mentor future conservationists, and inspire communities to care for wildlife. Her efforts have earned her the nickname ‘The Vulture Whisperer’.

Under her leadership, Vulpro has grown into one of Africa’s leading vulture conservation organisations, combining hands-on care with advocacy, education, and innovative conservation strategies. Kerri remains committed to ensuring that future generations of vultures continue to soar freely while inspiring people to value and protect Africa’s natural heritage

Alistair Sinclair

General Manager

Alistair was born and raised in Durban in a conservation-minded family. From a young age, he developed a passion for wildlife, spending family holidays in game reserves and on farms. After National Service, he joined the Natal Parks Board…

…gaining hands-on experience in reserve management and captive animal husbandry, including five years at the St Lucia Crocodile Sanctuary.

Over 40 years, Alistair has worked across private game farms, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservancies in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He has mentored students from top universities and championed environmental education in every role.

At Vulpro, Alistair manages the Harties operations, overseeing rehabilitation, captive breeding, and release programmes. His expertise, dedication, and passion for sharing knowledge help safeguard Africa’s vultures while inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

Obert Gayesi Phiri

Operations Manager

Obert joined Vulpro shortly after moving to South Africa in 2007. He is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Harties facility, which includes the care of over 270 non-releasable vultures across several species…

He manages staff, ensures that daily routines are efficiently carried out, and coordinates all aspects of vulture rehabilitation and care.

He also leads educational tours and awareness programmes, providing visitors with insight into the importance of vultures and their ecological role. Obert is heavily involved in monitoring our vulture colonies at various breeding sites, supporting research initiatives, and implementing operational improvements to ensure the smooth running of the centre.

Nadia Opperman

General Supervisor

Nadia completed her matric and initially pursued veterinary care. She supported Vulpro for 13 years through her previous employer and joined the team full time following the 2024 vulture relocation project…

She oversees administrative operations, legal compliance, tracking systems, daily vulture care, and the Adopt-A-Vulture programme.

Clarence Mabasa

Operations and Field Assistant

Clarence joined Vulpro in 2020 while completing his National Diploma in Nature Conservation. He has always had a passion for birds, caring for pigeons from a young age, and enjoys…

… reading, writing, bird watching, and football.

At Vulpro, Clarence gains valuable experience in vulture care and conservation.

Notice Nkhoma

Head Driver and Maintenance

Notice, born in Lilongwe, Malawi, joined Vulpro in 2008 and is responsible for daily vehicle management, driving for collections and appointments, assisting with maintenance and supporting vulture care and rehabilitation…

He loves working with animals and has a special place in his heart for vultures and horses.

Disi Bainet

Deputy General and Operational Assistant

Disi grew up in an animal-loving family and has long cared for pigeons and rabbits. In 2024, he joined Vulpro at the Shamwari facility, where he began training in vulture care and conservation…

He is committed to supporting Vulpro’s vision, protecting vultures, and raising awareness about their ecological importance.

Shelton Mathe

Vehicle Manager and Maintenance Assistant

Shelton is a father of two and grew up in a large family in rural Zimbabwe, where he learned the importance of caring for animals and the environment. He enjoys learning about technology…

… and animals and helping wherever he can.

At Vulpro, Shelton assists with project management, vulture rehabilitation, and maintenance tasks.

Tracy Karam

Branding, Marketing, and Outreach

Tracy has over 30 years of experience in consulting and is passionate about changing perceptions of vultures. She volunteers at Vulpro, where she has witnessed the unique personalities of…

… each bird and the vital role they play in ecosystems.

At Vulpro, Tracy focuses on building connections with supporters, partners, and the public, developing marketing and fundraising strategies, and ensuring the organisation’s vital conservation work continues to thrive.

Esther Mapope

Front line Assistant

Esther was born in Bindura, Zimbabwe, and moved to South Africa in 2008. Esther joined Vulpro in 2016 and has become an essential member of the team…

She maintains cleanliness across all buildings, assists with captive breeding facilities and the onsite hospital, and ensures that bedding and towels are kept in order. Esther also supports daily operations to help the team run smoothly.

Gerald Takudzwa Mateza

Facility Assistant

Gerald is from Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, and completed his Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Forest Resources and Wildlife Management at the National University of Science and Technology…

His internship at Bubiana Conservancy provided hands-on experience in conservation work, and his dissertation focused on African White-backed Vultures.

At Vulpro, Gerald supports facility operations and contributes to daily vulture care and conservation activities.

Jamie Venter

Communications Officer

Jamie has shifted her career focus from environmental journalism to full-time work in vulture conservation by joining Vulpro. After documenting threats to African wildlife for publications such as…

… the Daily Maverick, she decided to move from reporting on the crisis to actively addressing it.

Originally familiar with vultures only through her journalistic research, she was immediately struck by the plight of African vultures and the widespread misunderstanding of these sharp-eyed, intelligent, and indispensable birds. This transition from writing about vultures to working directly with them helped establish her new purpose: using her skills to conserve these threatened species and deepen public appreciation for their ecological importance.

She now applies her extensive knowledge and communication expertise to support Vulpro’s critical operations.

Meagan Bromfield

Renewable Energy Consultation Associate

Meagan grew up in an environmentally and geographically conscious family, which shaped her early interest in landscapes and conservation…

Trained as a geologist, her career increasingly involved overseeing environmental regulatory processes in the mining sector, where she developed a strong appreciation for the role of spatial data in decision-making. This led her to complete a Master’s in GIS, with research focused on Cape Vultures and power lines.

She works with Vulpro to address the growing threats faced by vultures, particularly from poorly planned energy infrastructure, applying her analytical and spatial expertise to support evidence-based advocacy and ensure that vulture conservation is carefully considered in environmental planning and approval processes.

Anesu Chauke

General Bird Assistant

Originating from Masvingo, Zimbabwe, Anesu has been an integral part of Vulpro since 2022. He is a firm believer in the importance of vultures…

… as “nature’s clean-up crew,” helping to reduce disease and maintain a healthy environment. Anesu specialises in the breeding and tracking of our resident birds, and nothing brings him more joy than seeing a bird he has cared for return to the skies during a release.

Takudzwa Katsukunya

Facility Assistant

Takudzwa was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Biological Sciences, majoring in Ecology. He gained practical…

… wildlife experience during his internship at Bubiana Conservancy, where he supported ecological monitoring and wildlife management.

At Vulpro, he assists with daily facility operations and vulture care and enjoys using photography to highlight the importance of conservation.

Phillipine Makhubela

Education and Community Outreach Intern

Phillipine is a Nature Conservation graduate with a strong connection to wildlife and a deep commitment to environmental preservation. She focuses on raising awareness, educating the public…

… and actively contributing to safeguarding natural ecosystems for future generations.

At Vulpro, she assists with education and community outreach programmes, helping to inspire and inform people about the importance of vultures in the environment.

Caroline Grace Hannweg

PhD Student

Caroline joined Vulpro in March 2020 as General Assistant after completing her MSc in Wildlife Management at the University of Pretoria. She is now pursuing a PhD on the movement and…

… breeding behaviour of African White-backed Vultures.

Caroline has experience with wild populations, livestock, and domestic animals. At Vulpro, she contributes to research and conservation efforts, while also pursuing her passion for birding, nature exploration, music, and the arts.