Next 'in-person' Talk:
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Vulture Crisis in Africa -
does it matter? A talk with Neil Forbes and AGM Monday 7th April 2025
7.00pm |
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Our final in-person meeting of the 2023/24 season will be held in:
Partick Burgh Hall, 9 Burgh Hall Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 5LW at 7pm. See below for further details about the venue.
Vulture Crisis in Africa - does it matter? with Neil Forbes + AGM
Talk Subject - Over 15 years, in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, 98% of the Asian vulture populations were wiped out due to eating meat contaminated with Diclofenac. Once this cause was identified work started to improve the situation bit by bit. In contrast, in Africa, we have lost over 95% of the population over a 65 year period - and whilst we know the causes, the decimation is on-going. The causes vary by region. They include collisions with power infrastructure like pylons, cables and windfarms (accounting for 21-34%), accidental and malicious poisoning by lead, carbamate and organo-phosphates (50-61%), and poaching to fuel the black magic trade (10-29%).
Vultures play a crucial role in the ecosystem with 75% of dead stock on the Masi Mara being consumed by vultures but that is also putting them at risk. In 2015, of the eleven spp of vulture in Africa, three were red-listed as endangered and four as critically endangered. The White-headed and Hooded Vultures were predicted to be extinct in the wild within 4-5 years. Four species have less than 500 individuals left in the wild. Malicious poisoning only started in 2010 but very rapidly exceeded the numbers of deaths caused by accidental poisoning. One poisoned rhino or elephant carcase will kill 50-800 vultures with the worst incident being over 2000 vultures killed in Guinea Bissau in 2014. Vultures do not breed until 5-8 yo and then only lay one egg a year and rear a chick every other year. The level of attrition is unsustainable - so, what can be done—and what actions are already underway?
Speaker - Neil Forbes
Neil qualified from RVC in 1983. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine, RCVS Specialist Emeritus in Zoo and Wildlife (avian) and gained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons by examination in exotic bird medicine. Now retired from Specialist Referral Practice, he remains involved in vulture conservation, veterinary practice hygiene and biosecurity as well as anti microbial resistance. Neil moved to Helensburgh in July 2023. He spends much of his time abroad teaching vets and rehabilitators in developing areas in order to give injured vultures better care and rehabilitation.
Vultures play a crucial role in the ecosystem with 75% of dead stock on the Masi Mara being consumed by vultures but that is also putting them at risk. In 2015, of the eleven spp of vulture in Africa, three were red-listed as endangered and four as critically endangered. The White-headed and Hooded Vultures were predicted to be extinct in the wild within 4-5 years. Four species have less than 500 individuals left in the wild. Malicious poisoning only started in 2010 but very rapidly exceeded the numbers of deaths caused by accidental poisoning. One poisoned rhino or elephant carcase will kill 50-800 vultures with the worst incident being over 2000 vultures killed in Guinea Bissau in 2014. Vultures do not breed until 5-8 yo and then only lay one egg a year and rear a chick every other year. The level of attrition is unsustainable - so, what can be done—and what actions are already underway?
Speaker - Neil Forbes
Neil qualified from RVC in 1983. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine, RCVS Specialist Emeritus in Zoo and Wildlife (avian) and gained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons by examination in exotic bird medicine. Now retired from Specialist Referral Practice, he remains involved in vulture conservation, veterinary practice hygiene and biosecurity as well as anti microbial resistance. Neil moved to Helensburgh in July 2023. He spends much of his time abroad teaching vets and rehabilitators in developing areas in order to give injured vultures better care and rehabilitation.
AGM Notice
The positions of office bearers and committee members are open to all our branch members. Nominations are therefore invited for the positions of Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and Branch Representative on SOC Council and for committee members. Nominations should have a proposer and seconder and the agreement of the nominee and should be sent by email to [email protected] by Monday 31st March.
The positions of office bearers and committee members are open to all our branch members. Nominations are therefore invited for the positions of Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and Branch Representative on SOC Council and for committee members. Nominations should have a proposer and seconder and the agreement of the nominee and should be sent by email to [email protected] by Monday 31st March.
The Venue - Partick Burgh Hall.
This is near Partick bus, underground and train station (see link for map). Car parking should be available in the adjacent streets e.g. Burgh Hall Street, Peel Street and Fortrose Street once the parking regulation hours have passed (currently after 6pm).
To cover the hall hire, we charge an entrance fee of £3 min. There will be no additional charge for the tea, coffee, and biscuits. The fee will be reduced to £1 for students and for others at the discretion of the committee. It would be very helpful if you could bring with you the exact change. We do not have any debit card handling facility.
If you know you do not receive branch notices but would like to, you can sign up here. Click to join the SOC .
Rebecca Dickson
Clyde Branch Secretary
[email protected]
This is near Partick bus, underground and train station (see link for map). Car parking should be available in the adjacent streets e.g. Burgh Hall Street, Peel Street and Fortrose Street once the parking regulation hours have passed (currently after 6pm).
To cover the hall hire, we charge an entrance fee of £3 min. There will be no additional charge for the tea, coffee, and biscuits. The fee will be reduced to £1 for students and for others at the discretion of the committee. It would be very helpful if you could bring with you the exact change. We do not have any debit card handling facility.
If you know you do not receive branch notices but would like to, you can sign up here. Click to join the SOC .
Rebecca Dickson
Clyde Branch Secretary
[email protected]