The Cape vulture is endemic to southern Africa and faces severe welfare threats from poisoning at carcasses, powerline electrocution, and collision with wind turbines.
Cape vulture welfare is acutely threatened by poisoning at carcasses, which causes agonising death from organophosphate or carbofuran toxicity. A single poisoned carcass can kill dozens of vultures simultaneously as they congregate to feed. Electrocution on un-insulated distribution lines causes traumatic death or severe burns. The cumulative welfare impact of these threats on a relatively small population is severe. Supplementary feeding at protected sites reduces carcass-poisoning exposure, while power line retrofitting and wind turbine collision monitoring address the infrastructure threats. Community engagement to reduce deliberate poisoning is essential for long-term welfare improvement.