Editor of African Birdlife magazine Anton Crone conducted an interview with debut author and conservation biologist Lovelater Sebele discussing her new title, Through the Eyes of Vultures. Sebele takes readers through the strife and ever-changing landscapes that vultures face each day. Through the eyes of this misunderstood species, she brings science and conservation to the pages, giving the audience a new perspective of the survival, identity and importance these birds have in the African landscapes.
Transcribed and compiled by Faye Knight
AC: What inspired you to write Through the Eyes of Vultures, and why did you choose to tell the story through Sukuma, a White-backed Vulture?
LS: There were a number of factors that influenced the book, some being personal, and others being the lack of literature on vultures that is accessible to audiences that aren’t scientists. By telling it through Sukuma, a fictional feathered hero, a wider readership could be reached as the story wasn’t only catering to academics. I also realised that in many stories vultures are vilified, when really, they play a crucial role in in maintaining environmental health. I needed to give the true reflection of these birds as it is something I am passionate about sharing. The story is based in southern Africa where the White-back Vulture is the most common which is why I chose it to be my main character, and that it is also one of the critically endangered vulture species.
AC: The book is described as “a tale of adventure and survival.” How did you balance storytelling with raising awareness about the real challenges vultures face?
LS: All the vultures that dot the African sky are heroes of sorts and the days they make it back home is a miracle in itself. For some time now I have worked in creating awareness and education of this species but thought to take different approach and use storytelling. Some issues these birds face, such as the lead poisoning crisis, are hard to put into a simple story, so I used this format to set the basic knowledge foundations and to be accessible for all types of readers.
AC: Vultures are often misunderstood or overlooked. What do you hope readers will learn about them after reading your book?
LS: I hope readers will start see vultures in a positive light and that how they have been portrayed is not a true reflection of their species. I hope that a better understanding of the role that they play in the ecosystem, what they are and how they survive, as well as a broader sense of their value is gained, giving them a better reputation and more consideration.
AC: What were some of the challenges you faced while putting this book together—whether in research, writing, or bringing the story to life?
LS: The process of telling it through the eyes of the bird itself proved to be challenging. Something like using terms that we use as humans that would have no relation to how vultures understand their world, is something I found myself doing often. I had to change the description of common human words like tags or tables into something that a vulture might understand it as, but in the end, I had to use my imagination.
AC: You highlight how human actions impact vultures’ survival. What message do you most want people to take away about our role in their future?
LS: That we all have a role to play in ensuring their survival. It’s in the decisions we make in our everyday lives and how we can each make a difference no matter the size.
Conservation & Impact
AC: How do you see this book contributing to vulture conservation and to changing people’s attitudes towards these birds?
LS: Through the storytelling aspect, the overall interactions we have with these birds has become accessible, which in turn brings opportunity to correct the negative portrayal of this misunderstood species. By giving readers more knowledge and power in understanding vultures, the chances of making the right decisions that could help improve their conservation will hopefully rise.
AC: In your view, what are the most urgent steps needed right now to safeguard vultures and other threatened birds?
LS: Conservation is the fundamental responsibility that all of us carry and that in how we interact with the environment is ultimately up to us. As humans, we are their biggest threat and creating a better understanding of our impact on their species is key. I believe conservationists should be thinking of different ways to approach the spread of awareness and the methods used in reaching a bigger audience. When people are informed it is likely we will start to see a difference, which will not solve everything but is a good start.
AC: You’re both a scientist and a storyteller. How do you think storytelling can inspire conservation in ways that science alone sometimes cannot?
LS: When it is written in a scientific way, it becomes a language that scientists use when speaking only to each other. For a subject like the relationships between animals and their environment, it is important to popularise it and make the information readily available for all in different forms. Different readers engage with content in ways that work for them, some being through pointed facts, others through storytelling.
Personal Journey
AC: You grew up in Tsholotsho and Bulawayo — what was it like there, and how did your surroundings influence your love of birds and wildlife?
LS: I was privileged to experience both the rural and city life, each contributing to who I am today. Tsholotsho gave me my first experiences in nature where I’d play just outside of our homestead. That’s probably where it all started.
AC: How did you first become interested in birds, and was there a moment or encounter that set you on the path to ornithology?
LS: In my second year of college I took a course in Ornithology. That was the first time I realised I could actually study birds and from there on I was hooked.
AC: Do you have a favourite bird—vulture or otherwise—and why does it stand out to you?
LS: I love the Bateleur Eagle, a beautiful in colour and majestic bird. It is also my totem I am unashamedly biased.
AC: Looking back at your journey so far, what advice would you give to young people, especially in Zimbabwe and Africa, who might want to follow in your footsteps in conservation and ornithology?
LS: There is a satisfaction that comes with contributing to the survival of those without a voice. Our wildlife faces a lot of threats, and we need to be thinking of ways to contribute to their survival that are outside of the box. Young people have an opportunity to do so by bringing new ideas to the table and the more hands on deck the better.
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