The Vulture Project works to conserve South Africa’s threatened vulture species through research, monitoring, and targeted conservation action. A central focus of our work is understanding and reducing the impacts of lead poisoning from lead-based ammunition. We monitor blood lead levels in wild birds, track their movements across the landscape, and work with the hunting and game management sectors to encourage the transition to non-lead ammunition.
Alongside this, we study breeding success, nesting behaviour, and survival rates through long-term monitoring projects, tagging, and camera-trap research. These data help us identify key feeding and breeding areas, assess risks, and guide conservation planning.
We work closely with conservation agencies, government departments, Protected Area managers and associations in the wildlife sector to reduce threats to vultures by strengthening conservation actions. Our goal is to ensure the health and sustainability of vulture populations and secure the vital ecosystem services they provide.
