Alistair Sinclair
Country of origin: South Africa
Position: General Manager
Alistair Sinclair
I was born and raised in Durban in the early 1960’s into a very conservation-minded family. Family holidays were always spent in game reserves or on a farm in the Underberg District. This naturally instilled in me a huge passion for animals and the environment.
On completing my National Service, I joined the Natal Parks Board where I had really great in-service training and mentorship. I have been fortunate to have been able to work on various reserves and resorts under their control and spent five years at the St Lucia Crocodile Sanctuary, where my skills of captive animal husbandry were honed.
The work there was pretty similar to the work that VulPro is doing – in that research, breeding, rehabilitation and education were the main focuses. A crocodile’s closest relative is a bird, so with that in mind, I am hoping that those years spent there will assist me in being successful in managing the VulPro Harties.
In the years that followed, I developed a private crocodile sanctuary, ran a private game farm for many years and even did stints in animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation.
About six years ago, I headed for Zimbabwe where I was employed as the Conservator for a large conservancy in the Lowveld Plateau area. My youngest daughter had a baby last year and it was the right time to return and be nearer to her and her family.
Normally mobile connectivity there was very poor, but for some strange reason one afternoon I switched on my phone and there was a signal! Being by nature inquisitive, I opened up Facebook and there was an advert for a position based at VulPro.
On a more personal level, I have three amazing daughters, one my own and two my ex-wife’s, whom I classify as my own too. My eldest lives in Wales, UK with her husband and two sons, my middle daughter lives in and has her own company in Dubai and my youngest daughter lives in Bedfordview with her husband and young daughter.
I am sure you would have noticed by now, my life and my passion has always been environmental conservation and I love imparting all the knowledge that I have gained over the past 40 odd years to others. In Zimbabwe, I was honoured to have mentored students from three of their top universities.
I am a firm believer in the need for environmental education and nurturing the young and not so young minds into taking the initiative to protect our and their children’s children’s natural heritage. We are losing way too many species of plants and animals and at such a tremendous rate, that if we do not start acting now, it will be far too late! If one link of the food chain breaks, the result to the rest of the food chain and thereby the ecosystem will be devastating and indeed catastrophic.
On that sombre note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kerri Wolter for taking the initiative and having the foresight to create and nurture VulPro to where it is today. Soon, it is hoped, that many many more vultures will be released back into the wild to supplement the ever decreasing numbers out there.
Dunisani Clarence Mabasa
Country of origin: South Africa
Dunisani Clarence Mabasa
I joined VulPro in 2020 when I was doing my one year practical for my National Diploma in Nature Conservation. My hobbies include reading, writing, bird watching (all types of birds), soccer, and I am interested in wild and domestic animals. I have a short temper, but I am a hard worker, helper, good leader, good inspiration, and an honest person.
Why VulPro:
I chose VulPro because I love birds (vultures), as since I was young I used to take care of pigeons. I chose VulPro because it is a good environment for me as I am gaining experience and learning new things every day.
Esther Mapope
Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Position: Domestic Worker
Esther Mapope
Esther was born in Bindura Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa in 2008. Esther is a proud mother of three beautiful teenage daughters who continue to live in Zimbabwe with Esther’s mother. Esther joined us in 2016 and has become an essential part of our team.
Esther’s job specifications:
- Day to day cleaning of all internal buildings such as housing, volunteers’ quarters, office, educational centre and the lapa facilities.
- Assists our CEO with helping to maintain and keep the captive breeding facilities clean.
- Assists our CEO with keeping the onsite hospital clean.
- In charge of making sure all blankets and towels are clean and replaced as often as necessary.
- Assists our CEO with any additional duties which includes helping to take care of our youngest staff member at just 2 years of age.
Why VulPro:
Esther loves her role at VulPro where she enjoys learning as much as she can about vultures, watching vulture chicks grow from eggs to fledglings and then their release as well as just being an important member of society making a difference.
When Esther is not working, she enjoys listening to music, sewing and watching TV.
Juliana Pinto
Conservation Scientist
Juliana Pinto
I joined VulPro in April 2024 as a Research Manager. My responsibilities cover a range of tasks, combining both office and field-based work. As part of our research efforts, I focus on monitoring the reproductive activity of wild Cape and African White-backed vultures, observing both cliff and tree nesting sites. This involves onsite data collection, and writing reports, creating protocols, and managing data upon returning to VulPro. My office duties primarily focus on evaluating the impact of our conservation efforts, while monitoring the constantly evolving threats that vultures face. This includes a combination of satellite tracking of tagged birds, managing large datasets, conducting research projects, writing reports, and preparing grant proposals.
My passion for wildlife and the great outdoors started at an early age, growing up in the mountains of central Italy.
Fast forward a few decades, and I find myself fulfilling my dream of helping to protect keystone species and restoring functional ecosystems. I have had a deep fascination with vultures for a very long time, in line with my core interest in ecosystem functioning and species reintroductions.The journey to where I am now has been an interesting one – and frankly a great deal of fun. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with several inspiring organisations across the globe, including an avian anti-poaching unit in Cyprus, a sea turtle conservation project in Greece, a human-bear conflict management study in Romania, and a giant anteater reintroduction programme in Argentina, to name but a few. My work experience recently culminated in an MSc at the University of Exeter, UK, where I was awarded a first-class honours degree for my thesis on the use of population modelling for species reintroductions. The common thread throughout my journey has been the research element underlying these conservation efforts. I love witnessing the process through which a wildlife sighting first turns into a dataset, and eventually evolves into a research paper, providing effective, evidence-based solutions to the pressing problems that our wildlife faces.
I am excited to see where this new adventure will take me, and look forward to applying the skills I have acquired along the way to conserve and protect these, yet often maligned, animals that play such a pivotal role in the ecosystems we share.
Kerri Wolter
Country of origin: South Africa
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Kerri Wolter
After working in corporate for a few years, I was desperate to find my soul that had been lost in an air-conditioned office. My colleagues were too scared to brave the great outdoors or even enjoy the duck pond which our offices with immovable windows, overlooked. I applied for a position as manager of a vulture conservation group when the opportunity arose, not knowing anything about any bird species, and nothing could be further from my mind than vultures at that time. I thought this opportunity may just help get my foot into the door of conservation, and from there maneuver my way towards a more ‘desirable species’.
Vultures are an unlikely species for a young, wannabe conservationist to choose to dedicate their career to. Vultures have always been showcased as ‘evil’ or associated with death, compared to the more glamorized species such as rhinos, elephants and various big cats, through the likes of Disney, animal cinematography and cartoons. As such, dedicating one’s life to a species that is often maligned, I had no inkling of what lay ahead.
To cut a long story short, after just a few short months in my new role, trying to save a species that the general public simply did not care about, I found myself looking down at a bundle of feathers and an ET look-a-like bird that resembled the prehistoric age of dinosaurs. My heart melted. I finally understood the magnificence and fragility of the species. My task, at that exact moment, was as clear as daylight …. It was my calling. I needed to make people understand their beauty, and their importance in our world of greed and destruction; I was to become what I have now been nicknamed – “The Vulture Whisperer”.
I am 45 years old and been working in vulture conservation now for 20 years.
Hardwell Davite Nkhoma (Notice)
Country of origin: Malawi
Position: Head Driver
Hardwell Davite Nkhoma
Hardwell, fondly known as Notice, was born in Lilongwe Malawi in 1979. Notice has been with VulPro since 2008 and is an integral part of the team, taking charge of all five of our vehicles as well as being our Head Driver. In addition, he is our assistant maintenance manager. Notice has recently got married to his second wife and has four beautiful adult children with his first wife and he has also recently become a proud grandfather.
Notice’s job specifications:
- Day to day vehicle management, services, tyres etc.
- Day to day driving for vulture collections, vet appointments, purchase of maintenance items and the list goes on.
- Assists Charles with the day-to-day maintenance.
- Our resident welder, builder, plumber etc.
- Assists with vulture rehabilitation, care, and feeding.
- Assists with any additional necessary duties.
Why VulPro:
Notice loves working with animals and has a special place in his heart for vultures and horses.
When Notice is not working or visiting his wife, he can be found watching sport, movies and listening to music.
Nicole Wilson
General Assistant
Nicole Wilson
in Durban, South Africa, my passion for conservation and animals ignited at a young age, fuelled by countless hours absorbed in wildlife books. After finishing school, I eagerly embraced my calling, becoming a certified field guide and venturing into the wild landscapes of reserves, where every day brought new adventures and challenges.
It was at a bird sanctuary in Durban where my path took a transformative turn. I worked hands-on with various majestic birds from all over the world, where I discovered a profound connection that would shape my career. Understanding their behaviours, caring for their wellbeing, and witnessing their resilience ignited a deep-seated passion for avian conservation. Since those formative days, my ten-year conservation journey has been richly varied and fulfilling. I’ve immersed myself in wildlife rehabilitation, played a crucial role in breeding endangered species, provided training, led tours and game drives, and participated in numerous rescues and relocations.
Each experience has provided incredible opportunities to work closely with animals of all kinds, fuelling my passion and commitment to their wellbeing. Photography has been a constant companion, letting me capture the essence of wildlife, and share their stories visually
Motivated by my profound fascination with birds, and a mission to challenge misconceptions about these remarkable creatures, joining VulPro was a natural choice. It’s a chance to make a significant impact on the conservation of these often-misunderstood animals.
Obert Gayesi Phiri
Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Position: Operations Manager
Obert Gayesi Phiri
Obert, our Operations Manager, was born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe, and moved to South Africa in 2007 where he, shortly after, joined VulPro in its infancy. Obert met his wife, Grace, in Malawi 12 years ago and they now have two precious daughters.
Obert’s job specification:
- Day-to-day management of the captive facility of 270 non-releasable vultures of several difference species.
- Assists with vulture rehabilitation, care, feeding etc.
- Educational and awareness tours so this is THE man you will meet should you come on a tour at VulPro.
- Colony monitoring at our various breeding sites.
Why VulPro:
Obert believes vultures need our help and that he has the opportunity to help be their voice and to give them a second chance.
When Obert is not tirelessly working, he can be found reading, exercising, or simply enjoying the thrill of watching and experiencing wildlife in their natural environments, where they are meant to be.
Shelton Mathe
Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Position: Assistant Project Manager
Shelton Mathe
I am a father of two kids, Nicholas, born in 2015, and my daughter, born in 2022. I come from a big family of five children, and I am the second oldest. I like to describe myself as someone who loves to learn more about technology and animals and helping out in different ways.
My role at VulPro is to assist with project management, and vulture rehabilitation. I have always had a love of animals and, growing up in rural areas of Zimbabwe, I was taught how to take care of various animal species and the importance of caring for the environment at the same time. Thus, it was a step in the right direction moving forward and following a new path in the conservation of vultures and an opportunity I could not miss out on.
My hobbies are watching movies and playing soccer games.
Tracy Karam
Marketing and Fundraising
Tracy Karam
Vultures are often misunderstood – seen as mere scavengers and feared by many. Tracy Karam, who ecently joined VulPro, is determined to change the perception and raise awareness about the true value of these remarkable birds.
With over 30 years of experience in marketing and media consulting, Tracy has a strong foundation in building meaningful relationships, an essential skill she believes is key to making a difference in conservation efforts. Her passion for wildlife led her to volunteer with VulPro, where she witnessed firsthand how each vulture has its own personality and role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. This experience deepened her appreciation for vultures and reinforced her commitment to changing public attitudes towards them.
In her role at VulPro, Tracy will focus on building connections with supporters, partners, and the public to create lasting change. By developing effective marketing and fundraising strategies, she aims to ensure that VulPro’s vital work in vulture conservation continues to thrive. Tracy believes that through strong, authentic relationships and collective action, we can create a better future for vultures and the environments they help protect.
Tracy is excited to contribute to VulPro’s mission and make a tangible difference in the conservation of these incredible birds, ensuring their survival for generations to come.
Our Intern
Caroline Grace Hannweg
Country of origin: South Africa
Position: PhD Student
MSc Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria
Caroline Grace Hannweg
I joined VulPro in March 2020 as the General Assistant after completing my MSc in Wildlife Management at the University of Pretoria under Dr Mark Keith. My next step in pursuing my goals is through completing my PhD thesis focusing on the movement and breeding behaviour of African White-backed Vultures in southern Africa. I have always had a keen interest in nature and animals, and this led to me pursuing a career in nature.
My interest in animals began extending to birds when my parents introduced me to birding in 2004. My passion for birds means I am extremely excited to have joined the team at VulPro. My MSc degree gave me experience working with wild populations of animals having studied owls and rodents, and during my undergraduate studies in agriculture I worked widely with livestock and domestic animals. My goal in life is to be able to use my skills as a researcher to contribute to the conservation of the environment. Working at VulPro has expanded my knowledge on vultures immensely and I am extremely grateful for the expertise I have gained during my time at VulPro so far. I look forward to furthering my contribution to the conservation of these important species, directly through VulPro’s work and through the incredibly exciting research we are able to conduct, as there are so many lessons to be learnt at VulPro.
I live in Pretoria with my partner, Jeremy, and our rescue border collie, Sadie. In my spare time I am pursuing a bird ringing license and spend as much time as possible in nature, birding, running, cycling or hiking. When I am not in nature, I spend my time painting, gardening and reading. I also have a passion for music, as an accomplished recorder player, violist and soprano. I would describe myself as passionate about the things and people that I love the most, hardworking, curious, and fun-loving.