Ecology of the White-headed Vulture

Rationale:

- The White-headed Vulture is the least well-known vulture species in Africa. There had been no comprehensive study done of the species and, compared with other vultures, relatively little was known about its basic biology.
- The category of risk assigned to the species by the IUCN increased to ‘Vulnerable’ in 2007
- KNP is a significant local, regional and global stronghold for the species.
- Effective conservation management of this species relies on:
1) Understanding key aspects its biology and any factors affecting it
2) Understanding the importance of protected areas for the species was essential to recognise conservation management options for the species

The project had two main areas of focus in KNP, in and around the sites noted in the following sections:
- Southern KNP:
o Crocodile Bridge (S25.2736 E031.8387, S25.2395 E031.9615)
o Lower Sabie (S25.0116 E031.8453 and S25.0206 E031.8994)
o Skukuza (S25.0082 E031.5256)
o Stolsnek (S25.2891 E031.5126)
o Tshokwane (S24.8163 E031.9058)
- Northern KNP:
o Mooiplaas (S23.4087 E031.4943 and S23.3737 E031.4555)
o Shingwedzi (S23.0960 E031.4373)
o Vlakteplaas (S22.9048 E031.2746)