By Craig Mikel, Animal Commissary Supervisor
At the end of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to South Africa and volunteer at VulPro, a wildlife rehabilitation and conservation facility specializing in vultures. After working with Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures at the Zoo for nearly 25 years, I was thrilled to join the front lines, thanks to the Louisville Zoo’s CARES Grant program. Our day-to-day work at the Zoo is a huge part of conservation — but being able to assist with rehabilitation on the forefront in Africa was a dream come true.
African Vultures have been rapidly declining over the last 40 years due to poisoning and power line collisions. Of the 11 species in Africa, six are endangered or critically endangered, with 97 percent of their populations wiped out. Vultures are crucial for the ecosystem, removing disease and bacteria from the environment — they’re like nature’s clean-up crew.
With the vulture population plummeting in South Africa, VulPro was established to focus solely on vultures, be their voice and prevent extinction. Each year, up to 250 vultures are admitted with illnesses and injuries, the most common being broken wings from power line collisions. Many times, the injuries are severe, and the birds are not able to be released again. VulPro’s mission is to help every bird, providing a safe home and purpose for non-releasable birds through education and breeding programs. These programs also release captive-bred chicks back into the wild — conservation at its best!
My time at VulPro couldn’t have been better timed, as I arrived during the busy chick-fledging season in November and December. Despite the near-daily rains, the cool weather was a welcome relief. For 24 days, I lived on-site next to VulPro’s clinic, waking up to the sounds of bickering vultures and assisting with rescues and medical treatments around the clock. I would be called upon to help when no one else was available or the workday had ended; rescues and medical treatments did not end at 5 p.m. Several severely dehydrated and injured vultures needed additional fluid therapy, medication, or food throughout
the night.
During my stay, we admitted 19 birds with various health issues, and I participated in 20 rescue runs. Each rescue was unique, involving searches through yards, woods, or fields from a few minutes to a few hours across South Africa. The fields are thick with tall grass and young Acacia trees, each sporting some truly massive thorns — ouch! I got a few scratches along the way, of course. However, it was worth it for the rescue.
The days were packed with feeding, cleaning, and observing the 116 birds at the facility, ensuring their health and well-being starting at 6 a.m. Day-to-day care is second nature for this Zoo staffer — feeding, pulling old food, raking, cutting grass — and observing how each bird was doing. Observations are key to assessing the health of each winged patient.
VulPro’s on-site clinic handles initial triage and treatments. Each bird is assessed for injuries and dehydration upon arrival, and records are meticulously kept. Twice daily, the team would rally at the clinic, look over the patient list, take a deep breath and begin treatments — even on Christmas. Every bird has its own identification band and treatment sheet. Records are crucial, especially with so many patients. One at a time, we retrieved birds from their respective enclosures, ICU, or hospitals for treatment. It was almost comical watching us search for the right bird among 20+ others in the same enclosure. Despite the organized chaos, our teamwork ensured no further injuries to the birds, although I did sustain a few battle scars.
As amazing as it was to follow my dream to rescue and rehabilitate vultures in Africa, the most rewarding aspect of my experience was forming new friendships with a dedicated group of people. We celebrated birthdays, spent Christmas together, and welcomed the new year, working side by side. My departure was bittersweet, as I was eager to see my family, but I will miss the important work at VulPro.
Join the cause to protect these magnificent birds and support VulPro’s vital conservation efforts. Your help can make a difference in safeguarding the future of vultures in Africa and at home by learning more at aza.org/safe-species. For more information about VulPro you can visit their website at vulpro.com. Every visit and membership helps to support conservation for wildlife and wild places!