Where do bearded vultures roost and feed? How far do they range? What are the main threats to their survival? These are some of the questions Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife ecologists hope to answer. Last year they fitted several bearded vultures with satellite transmitters. The data will be used to protect the birds against threats and halt the decline in their numbers.

Ecologists from Ezemvelo fit a bearded vulture with a satellite transmitter.

Ezemvelo also ran a competition to find names for the birds being tracked. Three pupils from Umgano Primary School near the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park came up with winning names. The winners will have a chance to go see vultures and will also receive weekly maps showing their bird’s movement patterns.

The winning names are:
Umcocimathafa, which means ‘cleans up the environment’, entered by Philane Motolo.
Inkosi Yeentaka, which means ‘king of birds’, entered by Senooe Karobe.
Umadlizidumbu, which means ‘eats carcasses’, entered by Sindiswa Mila.

To read more about Ezemvelo's work on tracking bearded vultures click here.