After losing two eggs from our Egyptian Vultures this year, we decided to incubate eggs from our breeding pair. We consulted Vulpro, and Kerri Wolter assisted us in the incubation process. On Friday 2nd November 2012, a very special little bird was hatched at Vulpro, and Kerri helped us look after the chick for the first week or so, as she has loads of experience with vulture hand-rearing.
Sagira has been with me now just over a week, and has doubled in size. She is standing well, trying to eat on her own and wobbling around trying to start walking. At the moment her little primary feathers are pushing through, as she will soon start changing colour to a dark chick, with her juvenile colours. "Sagira" is an egyptian name which means little one, and considering that she will probably weigh about 2.5kg as an adult, she is a little vulture.
According to the IUCN, it is estimated that there are about 1000-2000 pairs left in Africa, and their current distribution is mainly found in Ethiopia and East Africa. Sadly once a resident bird of SA, there are very few citings, even of migrants in our country. As with many vulture species, reasons for decline in population numbers include disturbance,
lead poisoning (from gun shot), direct poisoning, electrocution (by
powerlines), collisions with wind turbines and reduced food availability.
It is a privilege to be working with such a rare, and beautiful chick. We are hoping that Sagira will grow up big and strong, and become an ambassador for her endangered feathery friends, educating our youngsters about the plight of our vultures. So watch this space, she may be visiting a school near you one of these days!
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| 2 Weeks old |
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| 3 Weeks old |
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| Eating on my own! |
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| Nearly 5 weeks old |
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| Starting to Stand at 3 weeks old |
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| 6 Weeks old |
Sagira will be 8 weeks old on Friday 28th December. She is healthy, and
starting to exercise her wings nicely. I can't wait for her to begin
trying to fly! Please come back to see videos of her flying as she grows
:-)
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| An adult Egyptian Vulture |
According to the IUCN, it is estimated that there are about 1000-2000 pairs left in Africa, and their current distribution is mainly found in Ethiopia and East Africa. Sadly once a resident bird of SA, there are very few citings, even of migrants in our country. As with many vulture species, reasons for decline in population numbers include disturbance,
lead poisoning (from gun shot), direct poisoning, electrocution (by
powerlines), collisions with wind turbines and reduced food availability.
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