Hartbeespoort, 18 May 2025. Vulpro, One of Africa’s only vulture-focused conservation organisation, together with Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre in Mpumalanga, has confirmed a significant poisoning incident in the Lionspruit Game Reserve near Marloth Park, Mpumalanga. Over 100 vultures have died, including 92 White-backed vultures of which 90% were breeding adults, 9 Hooded vultures and one male adult White-headed vulture.
The scene was located through real-time GPS tracking of several vultures previously rehabilitated and released by Vulpro and Wild and Free. Upon detecting abnormal movement, Vulpro notified Wild and Free who then made contact with the Nkomazi municipal field rangers. Together, the team responded immediately to find a catastrophic scene with multiple carcasses lying around a warthog carcass. There are no survivors and no body parts were taken. Two more carcasses were discovered by air, thanks to SANParks who joined in on the search.
This deliberate act has caused irreparable damage to already declining vulture populations and underscores the growing and devastating impact of poisoning on South Africa’s critically endangered vulture populations.
Together with expert toxicologist and director of Griffon Poison Information Centre, Dr. Gerhard Verdoorn, and with the help of Dr Peet Venter samples have been collected and will be submitted for toxicological testing to identify the poison used and supporting possible legal action. These incidents not only wipe out critical scavengers but disrupt ecosystems, remove vital biodiversity, and undermine decades of conservation efforts. They also highlight the need for urgent collaboration.
“The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation. With multiple incidents taking place in various regions across the Lowveld recently, we suspect they are aimed at detracting us from a bigger and even more devastating event in the near future. We are calling on the government and the national vulture poisoning working group to address the crisis before it’s too late,” said Kerri Wolter, CEO of Vulpro. “To lose to this number of vultures, let alone adult breeding birds during breeding season is an ecological crisis. We are genuinely terrified of what next is going to occur.” With no body parts taken Wolter confirms this latest slaughter does not look as if it is related to muthi.
In response to this incident and the growing frequency of poisoning cases, Vulpro is appealing to al all rehab centres in the Lowveld to stop releasing vultures in the area until such threats are fully investigated and mitigated.
This mass poisoning highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation action as it’s impossible to be everywhere, all the time. Just days ago, Vulpro formalised a long-standing partnership with Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, based in Hectorspruit. Together, the two organisations have established a vulture emergency response unit in Mpumalanga, delivering:
- Rapid on-site field response to poisoning and injury cases
- Expert veterinary care at Wild and Free’s on-site clinic
- Long-term rehabilitation and monitored releases through Vulpro’s national programme
With support from conservation groups, WeWild Africa and Over and Above Africa, this initiative links veterinary expertise, field operations, and conservation strategy across provincial boundaries, unified in the mission to stop vulture extinction.
“This is not just about one event. It’s about a systemic threat to our natural balance,” said Wolter. “We are fighting for every egg, every nest, and every vulture’s future. Through science, integrity, and collaboration, we will hold the line.”
Investigations remain ongoing.
We want to thank the team on the ground for their tireless and emotional task of decontaminating the scene, preventing secondary poisoning to other wildlife.
ENDS
Media Enquiries
This press release was drafted in conjunction with Vulpro and Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre. For media enquiries please contact Gwen Sparks, at Enhance PR on gwen@enhancepr.co.za or 0834430019. Or Wicki West at WeWild Africa on +1 (757) 358-5860 or wiki.west@wewildafrica.com.
About Vulpro
Vultures play a major role in the ecosystem and a world without them would have significant ecological and health implications. Disposing of carcasses quickly they’re able to prevent the spread of diseases like anthrax, botulism, and rabies among wildlife and humans. Their absence would also lead to an increase in other scavengers, such as feral dogs and rats, which are less efficient at disposing of carcasses and can carry diseases harmful to humans and livestock.
Since 2007, Vulpro has been at the forefront of Cape Vulture conservation through multifaceted approaches including a captive breeding programme for population supplementation, monitoring of 10+ breeding colonies across southern Africa, research on movement patterns and threat mitigation, educational outreach to over 15,000 community members annually, power line surveys and advocacy for bird-friendly infrastructure and rehabilitation of injured and poisoned vultures.
The organisation maintains Africa’s largest vulture rehabilitation and breeding facility, which has become increasingly vital as wild populations continue to face mounting threats.
For more information, visit www.vulpro.com, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation is a non-profit organisation located in Mpumalanga, South Africa, committed to nurturing cooperative relationships between humans and native wildlife. Established by Deidre Joubert, our mission focuses on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts through education, preventive strategies, and responsible conduct. We adhere to the Three Golden R’s: Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release. Our facility offers a caring environment for animals of all kinds, facilitating their recovery and successful release. We engage in community education to dispel fear and misconceptions about local wildlife, promoting peaceful coexistence and non-lethal approaches. Our work depends on the generosity of individuals and businesses. Join us in protecting South Africa’s remarkable wildlife and fostering a brighter future for everyone. For more information, visit: www.wildandfree.org.za, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Media enquiries: Wicki West at WeWild Africa on +1 (757) 358-5860 or wiki.west@wewildafrica.com.
About Over and Above Africa
Over and Above Africa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by volunteers, committed to safeguarding endangered species and empowering local communities throughout Africa. Since 2015, we have supported a variety of initiatives, including wildlife triage and translocations for elephants, cheetahs, pangolins, lions, and snakes, as well as ranger assistance, clean water projects, and educational programs. Our organisation has endorsed groundbreaking initiatives such as Akashinga’s female ranger program and Ontulili’s primate habitat restoration in Kenya. Our largest endeavour thus far involves establishing wildlife rehabilitation centres across Africa in collaboration with WeWild Africa and Wild & Free. We meticulously document all projects to guarantee transparency and ensure donor impact. For more information, visit: www.overandaboveafrica.com/, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
About WeWild Africa
WeWild Africa was founded in 2019 by veteran conservation experts with 100+ years of collective experience in wildlife conservation in Africa. We have worked in some of the most challenging places and situations in the world, with a never-give-up mindset. Through partnerships with key stakeholders and committed organisations and reserves, WeWild Africa is able to make decisions quickly and provide seemingly impossible solutions. Since 2019, the organisation has directly impacted over 1000 animals through rescue or rewilding. WeWild Africa contributed media and press support for this translocation, in collaboration with conservation filmmaker and photographer Wiki West. For more information, visit: www.wewildafrica.com, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.