Late in November last year two Bearded Vulture chicks were fitted with new type (smaller) satellite transmitters at a nest site in Lesotho. Since then these birds have fledged, but seems to be staying close to the nest.  

The birds have not been named yet as is the norm when fitted with transmitters. The community conservation section of KZN wildlife is currently running a "name-the-bird" competition amongst the schools in the Drakensberg area. The most appropriate names for the birds will be chosen from the entries received in February.

For the time being these birds are referred to as “87” and “88”. 

I reported some months ago that the transmitter that was shed/lost by Andalucia has not been recovered yet. That project is still unresolved as the last known position is in a very remote area difficult to access. The new harnesses have been improved and it is expected that the data transmissions should not suffer the same fate as with the previous two fitted birds that both shed their devices. 

The nestlings being fed...

Mountaineer David Allen fetches a chick from the nest

The transmitter 

The satellite tracking program aims to provide some answers regarding the death of fledglings soon after leaving the nest. This is an initiative by the Bearded Vulture Task Force of the Endangered Wildlife Trust with the ultimate intention to prevent the extinction of the fast declining bearded vulture.

The chicks were located in a nest built in a crag on a steep cliff and accessed by abseiling to the nest to fetch the chicks up to a work station above the nest. Several measurements were taken as well as blood samples for genetic analysis and gender determination. The satellite transmitter was then fitted before the chicks were lowered and placed back onto the nest. Both chicks appeared to be healthy and were slightly heavier than the average weight for wild juvenile birds. Neither bird seemed perturbed about the satellite transmitter on their backs. These devices weigh 40 grams and transmit location information to satellites. This information is downloaded to a website from where their movement patterns can be seen.