Annual vulture survey in Namib-Naukluft Park

THE annual aerial survey of breeding Lappet-faced Vultures in the Namib-Naukluft Park was successfully completed last week.

The survey was done in the week that the Namib-Naukluft Park officially celebrated its 101st anniversary. On Saturday, October 11, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated at the celebration at Gobabeb.Vultures Namibia and its team of volunteers organised and carried out the annual aerial survey of breeding Lappet-faced Vultures.In four days of flying, the vast area between the Swakop River and Sossusvlei was searched for breeding vultures.Lappet-faced Vultures, the largest vultures in Africa, nest on the tops of trees and from the slow-flying aircraft the nest with its contents can be seen.Even eggs in the nest are visible to the observers.As the vultures only occasionally use the same nest in successive years, all trees in the myriad of watercourses and some rivers have to be checked every year.To assist the team, use was made of modern technology.A GPS linked to a laptop computer, ably operated by Gisela Noci, tracked the aircraft’s path as it flew from watercourse to watercourse.Observers Hartmut Kolb and Joe Noci could concentrate on looking for nests and leave the navigation to pilot Rob Field and Gisela.Rob has flown 100 hours over the past five years looking for vultures, at no cost to the project.The first two days flying was from the airfield at Ganab and then the team moved to Weltevrede Guest Farm.The Swart family of Weltevrede have been sponsoring accommodation and food for the team for several years.From here the southern section of the NNP was searched.The Vultures Namibia team was very happy to spot three breeding birds in the Sossusvlei area.During the preceding four years, only one breeding vulture was found here.In 1996, ten chicks were ringed in the Tsauchab River.The large number of tourist vehicles, road building and aircraft on pleasure flips are likely causes for the desertion of this once prime breeding area.The final tally of the survey was 89 breeding pairs.Ground teams in 4X4 vehicles and long extension ladders will spend about ten days going from one occupied nest to the other to ring and tag the vulture chicks.A numbered metal ring is put around the leg and a yellow, numbered plastic tag is fitted to one wing.When the bird is perched, the tag is visible and the number can be seen.These tags help Vultures Namibia monitor the movement of birds from the breeding area to other parts of Namibia and even to neighbouring countries.Anyone observing a marked bird is requested to check the tag number report it to Vultures Namibia.The date and place seen will also be required.Please contact Vultures Namibia at: 081-260-7375 or email: pmbridge@iway.na The aerial survey would not have been possible without the volunteers and sponsors.These include companies and individuals such as Westair Wings Charters, the auditors SGA, Rob Field of Zebra River Lodge, Weltevrede Guest Farm, Marc Duerr, Roessing Uranium and Nedbank’s Go Green Fund.With continued support, Vultures Namibia will strive to bring the plight of endangered vultures to the attention of the peoples of Namibia.*Peter Bridgeford is the co-ordinator of the Vultures Namibia.On Saturday, October 11, Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated at the celebration at Gobabeb.Vultures Namibia and its team of volunteers organised and carried out the annual aerial survey of breeding Lappet-faced Vultures.In four days of flying, the vast area between the Swakop River and Sossusvlei was searched for breeding vultures.Lappet-faced Vultures, the largest vultures in Africa, nest on the tops of trees and from the slow-flying aircraft the nest with its contents can be seen.Even eggs in the nest are visible to the observers.As the vultures only occasionally use the same nest in successive years, all trees in the myriad of watercourses and some rivers have to be checked every year.To assist the team, use was made of modern technology.A GPS linked to a laptop computer, ably operated by Gisela Noci, tracked the aircraft’s path as it flew from watercourse to watercourse.Observers Hartmut Kolb and Joe Noci could concentrate on looking for nests and leave the navigation to pilot Rob Field and Gisela.Rob has flown 100 hours over the past five years looking for vultures, at no cost to the project.The first two days flying was from the airfield at Ganab and then the team moved to Weltevrede Guest Farm.The Swart family of Weltevrede have been sponsoring accommodation and food for the team for several years.From here the southern section of the NNP was searched.The Vultures Namibia team was very happy to spot three breeding birds in the Sossusvlei area.During the preceding four years, only one breeding vulture was found here.In 1996, ten chicks were ringed in the Tsauchab River.The large number of tourist vehicles, road building and aircraft on pleasure flips are likely causes for the desertion of this once prime breeding area.The final tally of the survey was 89 breeding pairs.Ground teams in 4X4 vehicles and long extension ladders will spend about ten days going from one occupied nest to the other to ring and tag the vulture chicks.A numbered metal ring is put around the leg and a yellow, numbered plastic tag is fitted to one wing.When the bird is perched, the tag is visible and the number can be seen.These tags help Vultures Namibia monitor the movement of birds from the breeding area to other parts of Namibia and even to neighbouring countries.Anyone observing a marked bird is requested to check the tag number report it to Vultures Namibia.The date and place seen will also be required.Please contact Vultures Namibia at: 081-260-7375 or email: pmbridge@iway.na The aerial survey would not have been possible without the volunteers and sponsors.These include companies and individuals such as Westair Wings Charters, the auditors SGA, Rob Field of Zebra River Lodge, Weltevrede Guest Farm, Marc Duerr, Roessing Uranium and Nedbank’s Go Green Fund.With continued support, Vultures Namibia will strive to bring the plight of endangered vultures to the attention of the peoples of Namibia.*Peter Bridgeford is the co-ordinator of the Vultures Namibia.