KZN \u2014 September 2025: The Bateleurs, South Africa\u2019s volunteer pilot network for conservation, has once again taken to the skies in support of critical wildlife research. From 25\u201329 August 2025, The Bateleurs provided aerial support for the Wildlife ACT Zululand Vulture Survey 2025, a collaborative mission led by Wildlife ACT and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to monitor breeding sites of threatened vulture species across Northern KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n
Flying aboard an Alouette III helicopter, piloted by volunteer Bateleurs pilot Martin Schulze and Bateleurs logistics support team, the survey covered all known nesting sites of Lappet-faced, White-headed, and key African White-backed Vultures, as well as investigating reports of a potential Hooded Vulture nest near Phongola.<\/p>\n
Initiated in 2015, this helicopter survey is conducted every five years to track the breeding status and distribution of endangered vulture populations. The 2025 mission included adjustments to the flight path, with greater focus on African White-backed Vulture colonies that are either expanding, declining, or under-monitored.<\/p>\n
Survey flights were conducted at altitudes of 50\u201375 metres, with observers from Wildlife ACT and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife recording nest activity and habitat data using the Survey123 system.<\/p>\n
Key Findings:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThis survey confirms both the fragility and resilience of our vulture populations,\u201d said Anel Olivier of Wildlife ACT. \u201cThe discovery of a Hooded Vulture nest in KZN is groundbreaking and will guide more effective conservation action for this critically endangered species.\u201d<\/p>\n The mission was made possible through The Bateleurs\u2019 aerial support, with thanks to pilot Martin Schulze, co-directors Steve McCurrach and Donavan Bailey (logistics support), and the donation by Shiptech Petroleum for aviation fuel supply.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bateleurs exists to give conservation a lift \u2014 quite literally,\u201d said Steve McCurrach, GM\/Director of The Bateleurs. \u201cBy mobilising volunteer pilots and aircraft, we enable organisations like Wildlife ACT to achieve critical insights that simply can\u2019t be gained from the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n About the Zululand Vulture Project<\/strong><\/p>\n The Zululand Vulture Project, driven by Wildlife ACT in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, works to monitor and protect vulture populations in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The data generated from these surveys informs conservation strategies across South Africa and the region.<\/p>\n For more about The Bateleurs and their work, or to support future missions, visit www.bateleurs.org.<\/p>\n\n