Bred 4 the Wild

14/02/2026

LOVE IS............ With five sets of birds paired, the Bearded Vulture Breeding Programme is moving gently into the second phase of operation, which is for the founder population birds to produce young. We watch with anticipation for the first signs of pair bonding and breeding behaviour.

❤️

31/12/2025

A happy new year to all who walked alongside our Bearded Vulture Breeding Programme in 2025. We are grateful for your support.

25/12/2025

11/12/2025

As the founder population for the programme matures, separate enclosures are needed to house them.

Ideally, a breeding pair will claim their enclosure as 'home territory'. Younger birds can remain in groups, but we hold 5 pairs that are reaching the age where pair bonding must be promoted.

As such, we have started to build extra enclosures to facilitate the expansion. This is heavy work and a costly exercise. We gratefully thank ScottAir for providing the specialist compressor drills to tackle the foundation phase. Based out of Pietermaritzburg, ScottAir has walked with us every step of the way!

27/11/2025

Have you seen us on CNN?

A big part of the Bred4theWild conversation initiative is to create an awareness about the bird and its' plight. Not only does the critical situation surrounding the species need to be brought to people's attention, but also that there is a potential solution within the very framework of this breeding programme. There is hope!

Watch this video to learn more about the network that fights to save the species.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/climate/video/south-africa-lesotho-bearded-vulture-c2e

And, for anyone who feels convicted to join their efforts and resources with our own, please use this opportunity to step forward. Send us a message; we would love to chat. Together we can make a difference!

01/11/2025

Back at the Breeding Station....
Springtime in the mountains means that the grassland hillsides contain a myriad of wildflowers. The breeding pens of our programme birds are built into the natural mountainside and the flowers flourish both in and outside the enclosures.
Here, a 10-year-old female, Hope, investigates a beautiful Watsonia pillansii plant, common to rocky slopes in the Maloti-Drakensberg mountain range.

26/10/2025

Recently the Bred 4 the Wild team scrubbed up well and went off to attend the Underberg Farmers Association Agricultural Show . What a lovely weekend was had by all as we hosted an awareness stand, providing the community opportunity to 'talk vulture'. The team shared about egg harvesting work and the raising of chicks and the plans for future release efforts. In turn, we heard back from the farmers about the wild-flying birds they see in their skies.

The farming district of Underberg is in the heart of the Bearded vulture home range. It is only by us working together that we will ensure the long-term survival of our mountain monarch.

Thank you to everyone who came by, and to those who helped us make the day happen.

08/10/2025

Protecting God's creatures, great and small.
Congratulations to the Black Harrier for winning Birdlife’s 2026 bird of the year.

The battle was well fought, with some nail biting moments between the Bearded Vulture, Botha's Lark and the Black Harrier. Ultimately the former two got honorable mentions while this unique harrier came out on top. Thank you all so much for your voting supporting and please keep following our conservation Programme for the Bearded Vultures.

28/09/2025

Myth: Bearded Vultures kill livestock.
Reality: They are scavengers, feeding almost exclusively on bones.

Sadly, many myths fuel persecution and poisoning of these amazing birds. Education and comprehension is key. When we understand our custodianship role, we become protectors instead of rivals.

Let's replace fear with the truth.

To help spread the word, please vote Bearded vultures as “bird of the year” using this link below.
https://www.birdlife.org.za/vote-boty2026/

24/09/2025

The Bearded Vulture is the Flagship species of our Maloti- Drakensberg World Heritage Site.

May the collective protection of our natural heritage give us a unified future where hope soars!

Happy world Heritage Day! Voting for the Bearded Vulture for Birdlife's 2026 Bird of the Year can help us to secure their future.

https://www.birdlife.org.za/vote-boty2026/

20/09/2025

Often mistaken for eagles, Bearded vultures are indeed scavengers. Known as the “bone breakers”, they are unique in the bird world by living almost exclusively on a diet of bones and enjoying the rich marrow within.
Bearded vultures play a crucial role as nature’s clean-up crew.

Please help us protect these amazing birds and vote for them with Birdlife South Africa’s 2026 Bird of the Year!

https://www.birdlife.org.za/vote-boty2026/