Cape Vulture research in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: a

reflection on the last ten years

Francis Martens

Dr Jan A Venter Dr Morgan B Pfeiffer Prof Collen T Downs

2.2- 2.6m

96-115cm

7-11 kg

5-6 years of age

1 chick

Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)

Willem Matthee

Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)

Botha et al., 2017

4700 breeding pairs

Willem Matthee

Threats

Threats

Adult tagging

Breeding season: 46km radius Non-breeding season: 52km radius

Breeding season: 46km radius Non-breeding season: 52km radius

Juvenile tagging

Juvenile KDE’s in PFDP:50%KDE: 18km radius99%KDE: 68km radius

Cliff roost site selection of the endangered Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa., in press

50km is as good as it getsSample size (n=18)

Non-breeding season – 48km radiusBreeding season – 49km radius

50% KDE

50km is as good as it gets

Sample size (n=18)

Non-breeding season – 48km radiusBreeding season – 49km radius

50% KDE

Future plans

• Probability of collision with wind turbines

• Population viability analysis

• Spatially model threatsChristopher Brooke

Acknowledgements

FrancisRae.Martens@mandela.ac.za

Jan.Venter@mandela.ac.za

Thank youQuestions?