A study of the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa.
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Date
1988
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Abstract
The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus has experienced a
substantial decrease in range in southern Africa during this
century. The present population, numbering about 200 pairs,
is confined mainly to the highlands of Lesotho and the Natal
Drakensberg. In these areas the birds breed successfully
(about 0,9 young/pair/year) and non-adult birds
about 36% of the total population.
constitute
The food supply was found not to be responsible for the
decline of Bearded Vultures on commercial farming areas in
South Africa. The use of poisons by farmers for the control
of mammalian predators is considered to be the most important
factor leading to the extinction of Bearded Vultures and
other scavenging species on farmlands.
Adult Bearded Vultures forage over an area of about
but were recorded up to 75 km from the nest. They
feed exclusively on carrion, at least 75% of which is derived
from domestic animals. Present conservation areas are not
large enough to contain the entire ranges of any pairs of
these birds or to supply sufficient food to support a viable
population throughout the year. The birds therefore have to
forage over commercial farmlands in South Africa and communal
areas in Lesotho.
This study, designed to be as broad-based as possible,
covers in detail the following aspects of Bearded Vulture
biology; age related characteristics, home range and
movements, feeding ecology, breeding biology, behaviour away
from the nest, energetics, distribution, status and
population dynamics and their conservation. In conclusion,
recommendations on the management and monitoring of the
population are offered.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1988.
Keywords
Vultures., Lammergeier., Theses--Zoology.