MORTALITY OF THE CAPE VULTURE

Abstract

Summary Houston, D. C. 1974. Mortality of the Cape Vulture. Ostrich 45: 57–62. An attempt was made to analyse the ringing returns of the Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres from Transvaal colonies. Although it is not yet possible to determine annual mortality rates, some conclusions can be deduced from the results. Mortality during the early age classes is high and is over 500; during the first year. Mortality must decline rapidly with age, but it seems probable that recruitment to the breeding population at these colonies is insufficient to balance adult mortality and the population may be declining.