2025 Wildlife act zululand vulture survey

Report compiled by: Anel Olivier, Wildlife ACT, The Zululand Vulture Project

Survey: Aerial survey of all breeding sites for Lappet-faced, Hooded, and White-Headed Vultures as well as key African White-backed Vulture breeding sites in Zululand, Northern KZN, South Africa.

Date of Mission: 25-29 August 2025

Name of Bats Pilot: Martin Schulze

Aircraft used: Alouette III Helicopter registration number ZU-RIK

Name of Passengers:

• Anel Olivier – Wildlife ACT

• Brent Coverdale – Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

• Megan Hudson – Wildlife ACT Eduard Goosen – Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

Objective of the Flight:

The Zululand Vulture Project, driven by Wildlife ACT and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife identified the need to carry out a helicopter survey to better understand the status of breeding Lappet-faced and White-headed Vultures in Zululand, Northern KZN. This survey, 2025 Wildlife ACT Zululand Vulture Survey, is carried out every 5 years, with the first one being initiated in 2015. A detailed flight path was developed to cover all known nesting sites for both these species, as well as guidance from a spatial model that identified potential nesting sites (suitable habitat) for White-headed vultures.

With the number of expected nests for these species decreasing, the 2025 survey saw a slight change in the flight path which included a bigger focus on key African White-backed Vulture nesting areas that are either growing, declining or would generally not get intensive monitoring or protection. Additionally, we have received a report of a potential Hooded Vulture nest on a farm near Phongola which was included in this survey.

Anel Swart approached The Bateleurs to assist with this operation. Approval was received from The Bateleurs, and pilot Martin Schulz volunteered his chopper and services as pilot for the survey and the dates for the survey were determined as the 25th-29th of August 2025. Chris Kelly and Anel Swart from Wildlife ACT, as well as Brent Coverdale from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were responsible for logistical arrangements, including catering, accommodation, flight paths, flight approvals, etc. The Batleurs’ co-directors, Steve McCurrach and Donavan Bailey kindly ensured that a sufficient supply of fuel was available to complete the survey as planned, with the support from Shiptech. The team was initially based at Mpila Camp in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (25th to 27th) before moving north to the uMkhuze Section of Isimangaliso Wetland Park (27th to 29th) before ending the survey.

Apart from Martin as the pilot, the crew consisted of various staff from EKZNW and Wildlife ACT (mentioned above) who assisted with navigation and observation. Data was captured using Survey123 and is currently being analysed. The survey was conducted by flying along the pre-planned flight paths looking for vulture nests at a height of between 50-75m above the ground. When a nest was seen, the aircraft would deviate and circle the nest site to enable data regarding its location, activity status and relevant tree species or other noteworthy observations could be recorded. If necessary, pictures were taken of particular nests before returning to the planned flight transect path.

Conclusion:

The survey was conducted over a total of 18 flying hours. It was very well executed, and all target areas were successfully surveyed. The number of nesting Lappet-faced Vulture pairs were recorded as 4, compared to 3 during the 2021 helicopter survey. No White-headed Vulture nests were recorded as expected. The last active White-headed nest in KZN was recorded in 2018. One Hooded Vulture nest was confirmed with a large chick on the sub-canopy nest. This is the first active nest recorded for this species in the province. It is also the southernmost breeding site for this species, confirming their breeding range and informing effective conservation action. White-backed Vulture nests are increasing within Opathe Game Reserve, a relatively new colony, and the Thula Thula again demonstrated that a small portion of land can provide the necessary area for a successful white-backed vulture breeding colony.

We would like to thank The Bateleurs and Martin Schultz in particular for his assistance with regard to the survey. We value your support.