Tag Archives: Birds

More than 100 vultures die in a mass poisoning in South Africa’s flagship national park

More than 100 vultures die in a mass poisoning in South Africa’s flagship national park

By GERALD IMRAY Associated Press

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — At least 123 vultures died in South Africa’s flagship national park after eating the carcass of an elephant that was poisoned by poachers with agricultural pesticides, park authorities and an animal conservation group said Thursday.

Another 83 vultures that were rescued from the site and transported for treatment by helicopter or a special vulture ambulance were recovering.

The mass poisoning was one of the worst seen in the famous Kruger National Park in northern South Africa, said SANParks, the national parks agency.

Vultures are key to wildlife ecosystems because of the clean up work they do feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. But that also makes them especially vulnerable to poisoning by poachers, either intentionally or as a result of the killing of other animals. Hundreds of vultures typically feed on a carcass.

The elephant had been poisoned by poachers in a remote part of the huge park to harvest its body parts for the illegal wildlife trade, SANParks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust said.

Many vulture species are endangered in Africa because of poisoning and other threats to them. The affected birds in Kruger included Cape vultures, endangered lappet-faced vultures and critically-endangered white-backed and hooded vultures.

“This horrific incident is part of a broader crisis unfolding across southern Africa: the escalating use of poisons in wildlife poaching,” SANParks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust said in their joint statement. “Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species.”

The Kruger National Park covers approximately 20,000 square kilometers (7,722 square miles) and is nearly twice the size of small countries like Jamaica and Qatar.

Rangers say they face a daily battle to guard species like rhinos, elephants and lions from poachers.

Vulture conservation organization Vulpro, which was not involved in the rescue, said the poisoning came at the start of the breeding season and many other birds that weren’t found at the site could still be affected.

A woodpecker has invaded a Massachusetts neighborhood. Residents are taking it in stride

A woodpecker has invaded a Massachusetts neighborhood. Residents are taking it in stride

ROCKPORT, Mass. (AP) — During the War of 1812, residents of Rockport, Massachusetts, hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as slings. Today, they’re slinging trash bags and towels over the side mirrors of their cars to protect them from a destructive and determined pileated woodpecker. Over the last few weeks, the bird has broken more than two dozen mirrors and at least one vehicle’s side window. But residents are taking the violence in stride. Resident Ben Favaloro says he and his neighbors are having a good laugh about it, and no one wants to harm the bird. Pamela Hunt, an avian biologist with New Hampshire Audubon, says lots of smaller birds will be aggressive against their own reflections, but pileated woodpeckers don’t usually peck at opponents.… Continue Reading

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Vultures have an image problem and are among the least loved animals in the world. But conservationists in Africa are trying to change that and save endangered vultures by spelling out their incredible value — in monetary terms. A recent report by the BirdLife International conservation organization estimated that vultures are worth $1.8 billion a year to certain ecosystems in southern Africa. Conservationists say that despite their reputation, vultures do an extraordinary amount of good work cleaning up ecosystems, controlling pests, reducing disease among animals and humans, and even helping with anti-poaching efforts.… Continue Reading

What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders

What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms since it was first detected in North America in late 2021. But what has been the toll on wild birds? While most wild birds are susceptible to the disease, some species like mallards are more likely to carry the virus without symptoms. Others like geese tend to die in large numbers. Songbirds have sometimes gotten sick and died, but there haven’t been mass die-offs. Experts recommend taking precautions around sick or dead wild birds. But you can keep your bird feeder up. Scientists say the threat to the general population is currently low.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Powered By SoCast