17/06/2026
On 1 May 2025, we soft-released a captive-bred female Cape Vulture, Yellow Black E04, from the Vulpro Breeding Programme at Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Since then, she has become a remarkable success story, choosing to remain in the Eastern Cape and successfully integrate with local wild vulture populations. Recently, she returned to visit the Vulpro facilities at Shamwari, giving us a wonderful opportunity to observe her continued progress.
While many of our recent updates have highlighted vultures travelling vast distances across southern Africa, birds like Yellow Black E04, which establish themselves locally, are equally important to the future of the species.
By settling in the Eastern Cape, she contributes to strengthening local populations, increasing regional density, and supporting the long-term ecological stability of the area. Her successful integration demonstrates that captive-bred vultures can adapt to life in the wild, learn from established flocks, and thrive. As a future breeding female within the population, she may one day help secure the next generation of wild Cape Vultures in the region.
Seeing her soaring safely around our facilities is inspiring and highlights the value of recent mitigation work on powerline infrastructure surrounding Shamwari and the Vulpro facilities.
Vultures frequently use pylons as roosting sites, placing them at risk of collision and electrocution. Through the marking, insulating and safeguarding of powerlines in the area, these risks have been significantly reduced, helping to create a safer environment for vultures and other large birds.
We could not be prouder of Yellow Black E04's journey. Her story is a testament to the success of collaborative conservation efforts, where breeding, release and targeted mitigation measures work together to create a safer future for Africa's threatened vultures.
