Overview
- Minister Dion George said vulture conservation remains a national priority following two 2025 poisoning events that killed hundreds of birds.
- The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is implementing the 2024 National Multi‑Species Vulture Biodiversity Management Plan through the National Vulture Task Force.
- South Africa has committed to the SADC Vulture Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035) launched at a regional workshop in September.
- Officials highlighted poisoning linked to poaching and human–wildlife conflict, collisions and electrocutions on energy infrastructure, and habitat change as key threats.
- The government urged public participation and flagged vultures’ role in preventing disease, noting nine species occur in South Africa with seven breeding locally.