More than 120 endangered vultures have tragically died after feeding on a poisoned elephant carcass in South Africa’s Kruger National Park—marking one of the largest mass poisonings of its kind in recent years.
According to park officials and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the incident occurred earlier this week and is believed to be the work of poachers who laced the elephant carcass with highly toxic agrochemicals. In addition to the fatalities, another 84 vultures were rescued and transported by road and helicopter for urgent treatment and monitoring.
The species affected include white-backed vultures, Cape vultures, and a lappet-faced vulture—all of which are classified as endangered or critically endangered.
Experts warn that this poisoning method is part of a disturbing trend, with poachers deliberately targeting scavenging species like vultures and lions. The body parts of these animals are often sought after for use in traditional medicine.
This is the most devastating single poisoning event since 2019, when more than 500 vultures were killed in Botswana under similar circumstances,” said Gareth Tate, manager of the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme.
Conservationists are calling for stricter enforcement and international cooperation to prevent such ecologically catastrophic incidents from becoming more frequent.
