Caption: SANParks pilot, Bradford Grafton, with one of the rescued vultures
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe & Kopano Dibakwane
A joint team of SANParks(South African National Parks) rangers and officials from EWT(Endangered Wildlife Trust) came to the rescue of 84 vultures following a mass poisoning incident in the KNP(Kruger National Park).
According to KNP Marketing and Communication Manager, Ike Phaahla, an alert was triggered at 06:05 on Tuesday 6 May 2025 which was picked-up by the EWT’s wildlife poisoning surveillance and detection system in the Mahlangeni Section of the park.
Phaahla said the joint team discovered that the poisoning was due to an elephant carcass laced with highly toxic agrochemical pesticides, which is laid by poachers to harvest body parts for the illegal wildlife trade. As a result, a total of 116 vultures were found dead at the scene. In addition, Phaahla said two vultures were found alive, roughly 500 metres from the poisoned carcass.
“ The incident is one of the largest seen in the park. It is part of a broader crisis unfolding across Southern Africa. Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species-not just vultures, but also lions, whose body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine and muthi. This incident is a setback to the vulture population in the Greater Kruger Landscape which is trying to recover from similar incidents in the past,” said Phaahla.
He said SANParks is collaborating with various agencies and institutions to address this growing debacle. According to Phaahla, the discovery of the live vultures was made possible by such collaborations. He added that SANParks helicopters made multiple trips between the incident site and Phalaborwa throughout the day to assist with movement of the vultures.
The coordinated high-intensity rescue mission:
• 84 vultures- including White-backed, Cape, and Hooded vultures, were rescued alive
• 45 were transported by the EWT’s vulture ambulance, a special mobile unit designed to stabilise poisoned birds en route to treatment facilities
• 39 more were airlifted by helicopter to the SANParks K9 facility in Phalaborwa for immediate monitoring
• A final group was transported later that night to Moholoholo for continued intensive care
• Teams included vets from WildScapes and Briner Veterinary Services, as well as the Moholoholo team
Phaahla said five vultures succumbed to poisoning, despite efforts to rescue them.
“ A remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved among those found alive. As of this morning(8 May 2025), 83 vultures are still alive and recovering. We commend every individual who responded to the tragedy. Their courage, skill, and relentless commitment transformed a potential extinction-level into one of the most successful vulture rescues ever recorded,” said Phaahla.
