First hooded vulture nest found in KwaZulu-Natal

In a historic moment for South African conservation, the first active Hooded Vulture nest has been confirmed in KwaZulu-Natal.

The discovery was made during the 2025 Zululand Vulture Project Aerial Survey, marking the southernmost recorded breeding site for this critically endangered species. With only an estimated 50–100 breeding pairs left in the country, this single nest offers hope for the survival of a species under serious threat.

Surveying Zululand’s Vultures

The aerial survey — coordinated by Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and The Bateleurs — takes place every five years and involves helicopter flights over vulture habitats in Zululand. The 2025 survey recorded:

• A slight increase in Lappet-faced Vulture nests in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
• Growth in some African White-backed Vulture colonies
• Continued absence of White-headed Vulture nests, now considered extinct as breeders in the province

But the clear highlight was the confirmed Hooded Vulture nest with a large chick, offering new data on the species’ breeding range.

Why This Nest Matters

The Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is smaller and more elusive than other vultures, weighing between 1.5 and 2.6 kg with a wingspan of around 1.6 metres. It is monogamous, lays just one egg per year, and its chicks are dependent for up to seven months. Very little is known about its breeding behaviour, making this nest crucial for research and conservation planning.

“This is a milestone,” said Brent Coverdale of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. “It reminds us that even critically endangered species can surprise us when given the chance.”

The Role of Landowners and Community

The nest was located on private land in northern Zululand after Kayleigh Huysamen, an educational specialist at Wildlife ACT, and her family noticed unusual vulture activity. Their report and commitment to monitoring the site led to the confirmation of the nest.

“It felt like an incredible privilege,” Kayleigh said. “We’re proud to support the protection of this site and the conservation efforts around it.”

This event highlights the critical role private landowners play in conservation, as many vulture nests fall outside protected reserves.

Threats Facing Vultures in South Africa

Despite the positive news, vultures in South Africa face multiple threats:

• Targeted poisoning for traditional medicine and predator control
• Accidental poisoning from veterinary drugs and lead ammunition
• Habitat loss and human disturbance
• These pressures have wiped out entire breeding clusters in Zululand. White-headed Vultures, once present, are now locally extinct as breeders.

“Vultures are ecosystem guardians,” explains Anel Olivier of Wildlife ACT. “They reduce disease risk by consuming carcasses rapidly. Without them, ecosystems — and human health — suffer.”

National Strategy and the Road Ahead

The discovery adds momentum to the recently gazetted Biodiversity Management Plan for Vultures (2024), a national strategy to halt population decline and promote species recovery. Organisations like Wildlife ACT and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are actively implementing this plan on a provincial level. The data from the 2025 survey will inform future conservation strategies, reinforcing the importance of long-term monitoring, collaboration, and community involvement.

For more information on reporting vulture sightings: projectvulture.org.za

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