This study assessed the nesting patterns oflappet faced vulture inLochinvar National Park, on the Kafue flats,Zambia. Road drives and foot patrols were used to identify and take GPS coordinates of lappet faced vulture nests. The main objectives of the study were: 1) to obtain basic breeding information of lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park and the Kafue Flats in general, 2) to determine size of the breeding population in the National Park, 3) todocument distribution of the nesting sites, 4) tofacilitate development of a monitoring programme that would secure the nesting sites from human disturbance, and 5) to determine availability of suitable nesting sites and major threats that may interfere with breeding. Tree species on which nests were found were identified and height of nest above ground was estimated. A total of 22 nests were recorded with 5 (23%) being lappet faced vulture nests on seven species of trees. The mean height for nest placamenet was10 mabove ground. Host tree physiognomy, size and height were important characteristics in nest placement. Large trees of 10mand above are critical in facilitating nest placement and must be protected in identified breeding sites.
Vultures are very special type of raptors. They locate carcasses by scanning the ground while soaring high in the air [
The Lappet-faced vulture or Nubian vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) is mostly African Old World vulture belonging to order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks, but its size and shape of beak are unmistakenly larger than other raptors (
species T. t. negevensis occurring in the Negev desert of Sinai differs considerably in appearance from African vultures [
The distribution of the species in Africa is intermittent being absent from much of the central and western parts of the continent and recorded to be declining elsewhere in its range. It is recorded to nest in: Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, southeastern Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, easternmost part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, parts of Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, northeastern South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, the Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Benin, the Central African Republic, southern Angola and possibly in Mauritania and Nigeria. Across the Red Sea, the species nests in Arabia, Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates [2-4].
With regard to foraging, its scavenging habits of feeding on carcasses are fairly well understood. It finds its food by sight or by watching other vultures. More so than many other African vultures that find carrion on their own and start tearing through the skin. The lappet faced vulture is the most powerful and aggressive of the African vultures, and other vultures will usually cede a carcass if the Lappet-faced decides to assert itself. This is often beneficial to the less powerful vultures because, with their powerful beak, bare head and knotty muscles, they can tear through the tough hides of large mammals that the other raptors cannot penetrate (
Regarding breeding, records show that in southern Africa it takes place from May to January. Nests consist of a pile of neatly formed sticks, and are large measuring 120 - 220 cm (47 - 87 inches) across and 30 - 70 cm (12 - 28 inches) deep. They are often lined with green leaves, as well as animal hair and skins [
On the aspect of distribution and population status, the species is believed to have decreased perceptibly. Declining in Sahel and several parts of their southern, northern and western distribution in Africa. The declines are almost entirely due to human activities, including disturbances from habitat destruction and cultivation, disturbances at the nesting site to which the species is reportedly quite sensitive, and ingestion of pesticides, which are usually set out for jackals (Canis spp) and other small mammalian carnivores [
With low global population estimated at 8500, and possibly 1000 pairs (almost 3000 individuals) in southern Africa [
The objectives of the study were as follows: 1) To obtain basic breeding information of Lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park and the Kafue Flats in general; 2) To determine size of the breeding population in the National Park; 3) To document distribution of nesting sites and 4) To develop a monitoring programme that would secure and safeguard nesting sites from human disturbance.
The survey was undertaken in Lochinvar National Park (Figures 3(a) and (b)), mainly in the termitaria and floodplain area in the month of September 2011-2012 following the same methods used by Tokura Wataru [
Between three and five observers walked around the study site (
The nests encountered during the survey were placed on selected tree species as follows: Acacia nigrescens 5 (23% of total), Acacia seyal 6 (27% of total), Faidherbia albida 6 (27% of total), Acacia gerrardii 2 (9% of total), Combretum imberbe 1 (5% of total), Commiphora spp 1 (5% of total) and one unkown species 1 (5% of total) (
A total of 22 nests were found in the area surveyed. Of the 22 nests seen, lappet faced vultures were only physically seen in five (23%) which were confirmed as their nests (Figures 4(a)-(e)). It is likely that there were more lappet vulture nests as birds may not lay and incubate eggs at the same time, or some of them may have already
hatched at the time of this study.
Nests recorded for lappet faced vulture were in the flood plain and termitaria areas of the National Park, where density of woody plant species were in fact sparse plant species was sparse. The vultures built large (Mean often more than 100 cm in diameter) (
Regarding plant phenology; tree species were the only ones used for nest placement and not bushes, climbers,
anthill tops, kopjes, or other raised features. Of the tree species used for nest placement, only three were commonly used. Placement height varied from 7 - 15 meters with overall mean of 10 m (
In this study, potential lappet faced vulture nests were assumed to be nest numbers: 11, 12, 13, 18, 21, and 22 (
Moreover, the study area did not cover the whole floodplain and termitaria zones in the National Park. Therefore, total breeding population could probably be higher than what was recorded in this study.
In the 1970s, for instance [
vey were not indicated. Based on these estimates however, it can be stated that the breeding population of Lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park, has probably not decreased significantly since 1970s. A follow-up study would be required to draw a logical and objective conclusion on the matter.
We recommend a comprehensive monitoring programme for the nesting sites to safeguard the species from further decline as it is currently classified as vulnerable under IUCN’s red data list. In addition, wild ungulate populations which are the main source of food need monitoring, as their decline would also negatively affect the species. Monitoring of large trees which are the potential nesting sites should be incorporated in the Park Ecologist’s routine functions. Human disturbance in potential and confirmed breeding sites should be minimized so that the birds do not abandon their nests. As earlier reported [
This study has established that mature trees ≥10 m in height in areas with minum human disturbance are critical to successful breeding of raptors on the Kafue Flats, Zambia.
We wish to thank the Regional Manager Mrs. Marina Sibbuku for allowing the researchers to operate in the National Park without interruption, Mr Wataru Tokura for initiating the survey in 2009. Mr. Benjamin Wishikoti for his skills in nest identification and other readers that contributed through constructive criticisms.