11 April 2025 – South Africa’s critically endangered vultures are under severe threat from expanding energy infrastructure, with collisions and electrocutions from powerlines and wind turbines driving sharp population declines. Vulpro, the country’s leading vulture conservation organisation, has recorded 191 vulture deaths or injuries between 2020 and 2025 due to powerline-related incidents.
“In the past month alone, we’ve responded to multiple vulture emergencies—birds with severe burns, broken wings, and traumatic injuries after colliding with power infrastructure,” said Kerri Wolter, Vulpro’s CEO and Founder. “Without immediate intervention, none would survive.”
The true scale of the crisis is likely worse, as many incidents go unreported. Since Vulpro’s founding, 473 vulture fatalities have been documented. In 2024 alone, 38 deaths were recorded—a 1,166% increase from just three in 2012.
Vultures are highly vulnerable to infrastructure due to their wide-ranging foraging behaviour and reliance on pylons for roosting. Collisions happen during storms or when birds misjudge the visibility of cables. Defecation on lines can cause short circuits, and wind turbines can strike vultures caught in thermals.
Implementation Gaps Undermine Biodiversity Plan
In 2022, the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for vultures was finalised with Vulpro’s support. However, implementation has fallen short. “While the BMP is a crucial step forward, its implementation has been hampered by systemic challenges,” Wolter explained. “We need accelerated action from all stakeholders.”
Out of 538 reported incidents, only 276 have been resolved, while 134 remain under investigation and 279 were closed with questionable outcomes. Vulpro warns that gaps in reporting are obscuring the full extent of the crisis. Meanwhile, rescue operations related to belief-based trade in vulture parts now occur almost daily.
Positive Developments in Renewable Energy
Despite challenges, some operators are setting conservation precedents. The Golden Valley Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape has introduced bird detection systems, buffer zones near nests, and seasonal turbine shutdowns. As a result, vulture mortality has dropped significantly.
This example shows that “renewable energy and conservation can coexist when proper precautions are taken,” Vulpro stated.
Read: New report highlights need to curb wind energy’s toll on birds
A Proven Conservation Approach
With South Africa’s renewable energy output projected to reach 20.06 billion kWh in 2025, the threat to vultures is growing. Vulpro advocates practical solutions:
- Bird flight diverters (which reduce collisions by up to 92%)
- Retrofitting powerlines and adding bird guards
- Targeted mitigation, such as upgrades to the Lydenburg–Sabie 132kV line
Vulpro also manages Africa’s largest vulture rehabilitation and breeding centre, monitors over ten colonies, and delivers education to 15,000+ people annually.
“Every vulture matters—our integrated approach of rescue, breeding, research, and education aims to save individual birds and strengthen wild populations. But we cannot do this alone,” said Wolter.
Vital Ecosystem Role
Vultures play a critical role in preventing disease outbreaks by rapidly consuming carcasses. Their loss could trigger surges in scavengers like feral dogs and rats, increasing the risk of anthrax, botulism, and rabies.
Since 2007, Vulpro has led vulture conservation efforts in southern Africa. As human development continues to expand, the organisation calls on all sectors—government, energy, private landowners, and communities—to take urgent and coordinated action.
