Monitoring of Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) breeding colonies in the Magaliesberg, South Africa: 2007-2009

Abstract

Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) at three colonies, Skeerpoort, Roberts’ Farm and Nooitgedacht, in the Magaliesberg range in South Africa were monitored during 2007- 2009 to determine their breeding success and population trends. All three colonies showed high levels of breeding success, but while Nooitgedacht and Roberts’ Farm supported increased numbers of breeding pairs over the monitoring period, Skeerpoort (the largest) showed a dramatic decline between 2008 and 2009, the cause of which is unknown.

Keywords: Monitoring, breeding colonies, Magaliesberg, South Africa, Cape Vulture, Gyps coprotheres