Captive large predators killing vultures: exposing captive facilities as an additional source of mortality to highly threatened birds

Lindy J Thompson,Colleen T Downs,John P Davies,Gareth Tate

doi:10.38201/btha.abc.v50.i1.6

Lindy J Thompson, Colleen T Downs + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.38201/btha.abc.v50.i1.6

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Abstract

Background and objective: African vultures are under pressure from various, well-known anthropogenic threats. Here we describe and aim to highlight a littleknown source of mortality to two Critically Endangered vulture species (Gyps africanusand Necrosyrtes monachus), as well as the Endangered Cape Vulture (Gyps copropheres) in southern Africa – that of captive big cats killing vultures that land in their enclosures to feed on food scraps or faeces or to bathe in drinking water.Methods: Personal observations, reports from public, interviews with current and former staff from predator parks and lion hunting ranches.Discussion: While the spatial and numerical extent of this mortality has not yet been quantified, if it is found to be widespread then failure to address it may present a risk to the regions’ vulture populations.Conclusion: We encourage captive breeding facilities and regulatory authorities to take appropriate action to prevent free-roaming vultures from coming into contact with captive big cats, and we highlight the need for further research todetermine the spatial extent and magnitude of this threat to African vultures.

Highlights

The recent account of Drimia (Hyacinthaceae: Urgineoideae) in southern Africa by Manning and Goldblatt (2018) recognised 70 species in the first complete regional review of this ethno-botanically important genus since the earlier partial reviews of species by Nordenstam (1970) and Jessop (1977)
A similar error made by Perry (1994) in her monograph of the genus Eriospermum (Ruscaceae), which comprises some 104 species distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, has remained undetected until now
The name Drimia was first published by Jacquin (1795) in his Icones planta rum rariorum for five species of southern African Hyacinthaceae with reflexed tepals

Summary

Introduction

The recent account of Drimia (Hyacinthaceae: Urgineoideae) in southern Africa by Manning and Goldblatt (2018) recognised 70 species in the first complete regional review of this ethno-botanically important genus since the earlier partial reviews of species by Nordenstam (1970) and Jessop (1977). It is especially unfortunate that the authors erred in their interpretation of the validating authors for the generic name and some associated species described by Jacquin (1795). A similar error made by Perry (1994) in her monograph of the genus Eriospermum (Ruscaceae), which comprises some 104 species distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, has remained undetected until now.

Results

Conclusion