Lammergeier action plan
March 12, 2006 Edition 1
A group of 30 vulture specialists from KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Free State, Lesotho and Ethiopia met this week at the Sterkfontein Dam in the Free State to look at population modelling factors for the lammergeier (bearded vulture) over the next 100 years.
They are also plotting conservation action for the next 10 to 15 years to ensure the future of this endangered vulture, which has its stronghold in Lesotho.
Botha said the last comprehensive study of these birds had been done 23 years ago, so they wanted to update this.
"Population figures for that report were estimates based on data from a particular area," said Botha.
"Now we want to try to monitor their entire range."
The intention was to try to maintain the current lammergeier population levels for the next 10 years, then have sufficient conservation measures in place to facilitate an increase thereafter.
"It's very speculative, but the figure we are working on at present is 369 birds."
