Title: Foraging range and behaviour of Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres from a population in Namibia.
Short title: Foraging range and behaviour of Cape Vultures
Authors: Andrew J. Bamford (1), Maria Diekmann (2), Ara Monadjem (3), John Mendelsohn (4)
Author
addresses: (1) School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington
Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK. (2) Rare and Endangered
Species Trust, PO Box 178, Otjiwarongo, Namibia. (3) Department of Biological
Sciences, University of Swaziland, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland. (4)
Research and Information Services of Namibia, PO Box 1405, Windhoek, Namibia.
Summary
The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is an obligate cliff nesting vulture endemic to southern Africa. Its range and population size has declined markedly over the last century. Namibia has just one colony, located on the cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau, with a population estimated to be eight adult birds, including two females. The species is regarded as critically endangered in Namibia, and may require intensive management to save. Data on movements, foraging range and behaviour of Cape Vultures, important in any management program, have been lacking. Five adult males and two juveniles were captured near the Waterberg and fitted with satellite trackers. Only two of the adult vultures still roosted on the cliffs and only one of those exclusively; the other individuals roosted in trees. Three individuals were observed building and attending to nests in trees, and for one of these the partner was identified as an African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). The foraging range of the adult birds was large compared to other studies, suggesting poor quality habitat compared to other sites, perhaps worsened by bush encroachment. All adults avoided areas of communally owned land where wild ungulates are uncommon, thus further decreasing their potentially available food supply. The ranging behaviour of adult vultures varied throughout the year, and was apparently related to their nesting behaviour.