Photo: Alyssa Simon, Jacksonville Zoo
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Introduction: The Lappet-faced Vulture was first described as Vultur Tracheliotos by J. R. Forster in 1791. The species ranges throughout most of Africa, but is absent from most of central and western African, and the Arabian Peninsula.
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Physical Characteristics
Weighing between 4.4 Kg and 13.6 Kg, with a wingspan of 2.5 m – 2.9 m, the Lappet-faced Vulture is one of the largest of the old world vultures.
Weighing between 4.4 Kg and 13.6 Kg, with a wingspan of 2.5 m – 2.9 m, the Lappet-faced Vulture is one of the largest of the old world vultures.
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Taxonomy & Range
Although there are questions of the validity of the different races, three subspecies of Lappet-faced Vulture are recognized:
This vulture prefers dry savannah, arid plains, deserts with scattered trees and open mountain slopes. Usually found in undisturbed open country, lappet-faced vulture will wander into human areas while foraging (drawn to road kills). |
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Feeding & Behavior
The most powerful of all the African vultures, they are usually the first of the vultures to feed at a carcass, which benefits the smaller vultures. Although primarily scavengers, they will occasionally hunt small birds and mammals, and have been seen group hunting flamingo chicks.
The most powerful of all the African vultures, they are usually the first of the vultures to feed at a carcass, which benefits the smaller vultures. Although primarily scavengers, they will occasionally hunt small birds and mammals, and have been seen group hunting flamingo chicks.
Breeding
Breeding does not occur until birds are at least 6 years old. Lappet-faced vulture tend to be monogamous and use the same nesting area year after year; most years they will reuse the same nest. Lappets build a large nest, comprised primarily of sticks and lined with dried grasses. Lappet nests are almost always placed in the main fork or top of a thorny tree, usually Acacia spp., at 5 to 15 m off the ground. Clutch consists of one (rarely 2) egg(s) and is incubated by both parents for 54 - 56 days. Chicks will fledge around day 125 – 135.
Breeding does not occur until birds are at least 6 years old. Lappet-faced vulture tend to be monogamous and use the same nesting area year after year; most years they will reuse the same nest. Lappets build a large nest, comprised primarily of sticks and lined with dried grasses. Lappet nests are almost always placed in the main fork or top of a thorny tree, usually Acacia spp., at 5 to 15 m off the ground. Clutch consists of one (rarely 2) egg(s) and is incubated by both parents for 54 - 56 days. Chicks will fledge around day 125 – 135.
Notes on Lappets in Zoos
Lappet-faced vulture have been exhibited in US zoos since 1919. Most of these birds were not held in a breeding situation. It wasn’t until the early 1970’s did zoological institutions start to pair up birds. Lappets were successfully bred for the first time in 1991. Currently, only 5 zoos have successfully hatched lappet-faced vulture.
Lappet-faced vulture have been exhibited in US zoos since 1919. Most of these birds were not held in a breeding situation. It wasn’t until the early 1970’s did zoological institutions start to pair up birds. Lappets were successfully bred for the first time in 1991. Currently, only 5 zoos have successfully hatched lappet-faced vulture.
Present Status & Conservation
Lappet-faced vulture are CITES II, listed on the CITES Appendix in 2004. IUCN recently upgraded lappet-faced vulture to endangered status. The population, believed to be below 6000 adult birds, is declining. Primary threats are widespread accidental secondary poisoning (mostly strychnine used as predator control, but there has been an increase in the use of carbofuran). Other causes for the decline of this species is increased nest disturbance by humans, electrocution and reduction in food availability. There is a potential threat if the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, fatal to Gyps species when ingested, is introduced to the area.
Lappet-faced vulture are CITES II, listed on the CITES Appendix in 2004. IUCN recently upgraded lappet-faced vulture to endangered status. The population, believed to be below 6000 adult birds, is declining. Primary threats are widespread accidental secondary poisoning (mostly strychnine used as predator control, but there has been an increase in the use of carbofuran). Other causes for the decline of this species is increased nest disturbance by humans, electrocution and reduction in food availability. There is a potential threat if the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, fatal to Gyps species when ingested, is introduced to the area.
Conservation Priorities
Identify important nest sites and carry out research into the effects of nest site disturbance. Design a new nature reserve in northern Mali and provide enforcement for existing nature reserves in West African. Educate and raise awareness, aimed at farmers, developers and Eco tourists, on accidental poisoning and disturbance effects on nesting birds. Study the impact of this species on livestock and communicate findings. Complete a vulture census, especially in West Africa, and monitor to clarify populations and decline rates. Educate utilities and NGOs of dangerous pylon designs and options to prevent collisions through training courses, posters and manuals. In West African, determine the severity of poisoning (both deliberate and accidental), hunting of this species (for medicinal and cultural uses), hunting this species for food and powerline development threats. Eliminate the use of toxic drugs, especially the veterinary use of diclofenac, in Africa. Enforce legislation concerning the incorrect use of pesticides and poisons, research the impact of poisons across this species’ range and introduce laws to prohibit the persecution of this species.
This species, along with 5 other African vulture species, are part of the African Vulture SAFE program.
Identify important nest sites and carry out research into the effects of nest site disturbance. Design a new nature reserve in northern Mali and provide enforcement for existing nature reserves in West African. Educate and raise awareness, aimed at farmers, developers and Eco tourists, on accidental poisoning and disturbance effects on nesting birds. Study the impact of this species on livestock and communicate findings. Complete a vulture census, especially in West Africa, and monitor to clarify populations and decline rates. Educate utilities and NGOs of dangerous pylon designs and options to prevent collisions through training courses, posters and manuals. In West African, determine the severity of poisoning (both deliberate and accidental), hunting of this species (for medicinal and cultural uses), hunting this species for food and powerline development threats. Eliminate the use of toxic drugs, especially the veterinary use of diclofenac, in Africa. Enforce legislation concerning the incorrect use of pesticides and poisons, research the impact of poisons across this species’ range and introduce laws to prohibit the persecution of this species.
This species, along with 5 other African vulture species, are part of the African Vulture SAFE program.
Sources Cited:
1. Kemp, A.C. & Christie, D.A. (2013). Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2013). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (Retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53003 on 1 July 2015).
2. International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (2014).
3. BirdLife International. 2012. Torgos tracheliotos. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3381
1. Kemp, A.C. & Christie, D.A. (2013). Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2013). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (Retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53003 on 1 July 2015).
2. International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (2014).
3. BirdLife International. 2012. Torgos tracheliotos. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3381
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Date of Last PVA/B&T Plan
11/2015 Current Population Size (N) 31 birds (16 males, 15 females, 0 unknown) Current Number of Participating AZA Member Institutions 12 Projected % GD at 100 years or 10 generations** 75% |
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Population Analysis & Breeding and Transfer Plan
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus) AZA Species Survival Plan® Red Program |
Sustainability Report
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus)
AZA Species Survival Plan® Red Program
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus)
AZA Species Survival Plan® Red Program
Officers
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Name
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Organization
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Position
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Dallas Zoo
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SSP Program Leader
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Denver Zoo
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Education Advisor
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VulProVulPro’s work in South Africa involves instrumental veterinary toxicological research, colony monitoring, and rehabilitation of injured vultures. Additionally, VulPro breeds nonreleasable Cape Vultures, African White-backed Vultures, Lappet-faced Vultures, and White-headed Vultures as part of a conservation breeding and reintroduction program where all offspring are returned to the wild. Public education is also a large aspect of VulPro’s work, both to school groups and local communities as well as visiting researchers looking to gain invaluable field experience in areas such as capturing, tagging, monitoring and rescuing vultures.
VulPro is one of the organizations supported by African Vulture SAFE. |
