During the 2025 Zululand Vulture Project Aerial Survey, a team of conservationists confirmed the very first active Hooded Vulture nest ever recorded in KwaZulu-Natal. The discovery is not only a provincial milestone but also the southernmost breeding site documented for this Critically Endangered species.
The survey, carried out by Wildlife ACT in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The Bateleurs and pilot Martin Schulze, used a helicopter to search across key areas of Zululand. Conducted every five years, the operation supplements fixed-wing surveys and ground-based monitoring.
Among the findings were a slight increase in Lappet-faced Vulture nests in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, growth in some African White-backed Vulture colonies, and the continued absence of White-headed Vulture nests. But it was the confirmation of a single Hooded Vulture nest with a large chick that stood out as historic.
“Vultures are among the most threatened bird species in South Africa, and KwaZulu-Natal remains a critical region for their survival,” said Brent Coverdale, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Animal Scientist: Mammals and Birds. “The loss of White-headed Vultures is a sobering reminder of what can happen if threats go unchecked, while the confirmation of a Hooded Vulture nest offers hope and renewed urgency for protecting these birds and the ecosystems they support.”
Little known about breeding behaviour
Smaller and shyer than other vultures, Hooded Vultures weigh just 1.5–2.6 kg and are estimated to number only 50–100 breeding pairs in South Africa. Very little is known about their breeding behaviour, making the confirmed nest especially significant.
“This discovery is a milestone for vulture conservation, especially in KwaZulu-Natal,” the Zululand Vulture Project said in a joint statement. “Confirming a Hooded Vulture nest for the first time in the province gives us new insight into their range and behaviour, and strengthens the case for continued collaboration and investment in vulture conservation.”
The nest was first suspected by Wildlife ACT’s Educational Content Specialist, Kayleigh Huysamen, on her family’s property in northern Zululand. “It felt like an incredible privilege to discover this nest so close to our home,” she said. “My family and I are committed to helping safeguard the site and supporting the monitoring work.”
With vultures under severe threat from poisoning, habitat loss and illegal trade, conservationists stress the importance of partnerships with landowners, communities, and NGOs. The discovery also reinforces the goals of South Africa’s Biodiversity Management Plan for Vultures, published in 2024, which sets out national actions to halt declines.
