Vultures stalk death, and death stalks vultures. Think about the scavenger bird and images of disease and decay soon follow. The birds have a bad reputation – unjustifiably so, say conservationists, who argue vultures are one of nature's great recyclers, and one of the most misunderstood creatures.
Vultures have evolved into highly efficient scavengers, traveling hundreds of kilometers in flocks, with excellent eyesight able to identify carcasses up to 3.7 miles away. Their beaks are thick and strong, and can efficiently strip a large carcass within hours. Their stomachs are extremely acidic and packed with enzymes not found in other species, allowing them to digest what other animals cannot.
Yet rather than being protected as an ally in the fight against disease outbreak, the vulture finds itself hunted and maligned in parts of Africa.
In South Africa, a non-profit conservation and rehabilitation group called VulPro is working to protect these fascinating birds.
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📸 : Gertrude Kitongo/CNN
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