White-Backed Vulture

The white-backed vulture (or Gyps africanus) is a large raptor native to sub-Saharan Africa, commonly found in open savannas, dry woodlands, and grasslands where it can easily locate carrion. Its range extends from Senegal and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south. This vulture has a distinctive appearance, with a dark brown body, contrasting white back and rump, and a bald, pale head. Adults measure around 78cm to 98cm in height, with a wingspan of 1.96m to 2.25m. They typically weigh between 4.2kg and 7.2kg, with females about 10% heavier than males.

The white-backed vulture has experienced a dramatic population decline and is considered Critically Endangered. One of the greatest threats is poisoning, either accidentally when livestock carcasses contain substances like diclofenac, a veterinary drug highly toxic to vultures, or deliberately poisoned carcasses left by poachers so that circling vultures won’t alert anti-poaching patrols. Habitat loss due to human expansion reduces foraging and nesting grounds. Electrocution and power line collisions pose a threat, too, as vultures often nest or perch on tall structures. Their slow reproductive rates make population recovery difficult. In response, protected areas seek to protect and stabilise vulture populations in safe habitats with minimal human disturbance. Rehabilitation centres and ‘vulture restaurants’ provide care and clean carrion for poisoned birds. Satellite tracking is used to identify threat hotspots, and local engagement raise awareness about the vulture’s importance and danger of poisons. Additionally, there is a push to ban harmful veterinary drugs. Combined efforts aim to secure a future for this vital scavenger species.