Vulture conservationists in South Africa have saved an African White-backed Vulture from starving to death after freeing it of a PVC pipe that got stuck around its head and mouth.
The scavenger which falls under conservation status of Critically Endangered due to its population size “decreasing significantly”, was spotted with the piece of the pipe around Olifants Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
According to IAF (International Association for Falconry) Falconry Education Programme, staff from a vulture rehabilitation and conservation centre, VulPro, rushed to the rescue of the bird and saved it from certain death.
“This morning, with the help of the warden, Nick, and two vets… the bird was secured and freed of the pipe and pen,” IAF Falconry Education Programme said in Facebook post.
The endangered vulture would have starved to death from starvation but for the timely intervention of the rescuers.
“The bird will be held at VulPro for the necessary treatment before it will be released with a tracking device at Olifants after a couple of weeks,” it said.
The association thanked all the people that made the capture of the bird possible as well as staff of Olifants for saving its life.
