Vultures: Nature’s cleanup crew and wildlife detectives

At the 2025 CITES CoP20, both the African white-backed vulture and Rüppell’s vulture were uplisted from Appendix II to Appendix I—the highest level of protection—reflecting catastrophic declines: white-backed vultures have dropped by up to 81% in 40 years, and Rüppell’s vultures by up to 92.5% over the same period. Poisoning, habitat loss, and poaching remain the leading causes. In one notorious incident in Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park, between 181-190 vultures were poisoned at once. Similar tragedies have occurred in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. 

Tracking vultures in Hwange: science in action 

In November 2025, IFAW partnered with BirdLife Zimbabwe and ZimParks to fit six vultures with satellite transmitters—four captured in Hwange National Park and two rehabilitated birds from Kuimbashiri near Harare. African white-backed vultures now number only around 40,000 in southern Africa. Tracking their movements will help identify threats, hotspots, and areas needing protection.  

The capture team began early in the morning before vultures started foraging. Noose traps were set near a bait—a kudu carcass salvaged from elsewhere in the park. From high above, vultures spot the bait and descend, often following bolder species like kites. After about an hour, four vultures were gently tangled in the noose network. They were carefully freed, their vital samples taken, and satellite trackers fitted. These devices ping the bird’s location every hour, revealing flight paths and distances traveled. 

“Watching a vulture up close is extraordinary,” says Benhilda Antonio of BirdLife Zimbabwe. “The tagging work reminds us how science and fieldwork come together to give these birds a future.” 

Within days, the team was astonished by the vast distances the vultures covered. Two birds flew deep into Botswana, while three logged more than 1,000 kilometers in less than three days. All returned to Hwange National Park. 

Vultures as wildlife detectives 

“IFAW and ZimParks use real-time geospatial tools to allow rangers to focus on verified hotspots. Vultures, in effect, help us find what poachers try to hide,” says Dr Henry Ndaimani, IFAW’s Global Programs Manager for Landscape Conservation. 

In Hwange, the EarthRanger platform provides cutting-edge technology that helps us keep a close eye on vulture movements. From the EarthRanger Operations Control Room set up at Hwange Main Camp, conservation teams can monitor the birds around the clock. The command centre staff not only see real-time vulture movements on their screens but also receive instant alerts on their phones whenever clusters form. This means critical behaviors like gathering at carcasses are rarely missed—giving us near real-time insights that make a big difference in protecting these vital scavengers. 

For park rangers, the data is transformative. Cluster mapping builds a near-complete record of wildlife mortality in the park—an invaluable tool for conservation and anti-poaching operations. 

Looking ahead 

Vulture monitoring is a vital part of IFAW’s Room to Roam initiative, which works to secure connected landscapes where wildlife can move freely and safely. By combining technology, science, and on-the-ground patrols, Room to Roam strengthens entire ecosystems—not just for elephants and predators, but for the scavengers that underpin ecological health. 

The collaboration between IFAW, BirdLife Zimbabwe, and ZimParks marks a critical step forward. Africa’s vultures are at a crossroads—but with science, community partnerships, and strong international protections, their story can shift from decline to recovery.