ICYMI, Septemer 6th was International Vulture Awareness Day

Walt was unaware of this celebratory occasion, since we receive only sporadically reports from Darkest Africa, where this story originated. Anyway... International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) is a campaign aimed at raising awareness about vultures and their critical role in maintaining balance within the ecosystem. 

Vultures provide a vital service by clearing carcasses from the environment, which helps reduce the spread of diseases  Here we see two vultures picking the bones of a dead donkey, once known as the Democratic Party.

According to Benhilda Antonio, a spokesrthingy for BirdLife Zimbabwe, "IVAD is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate nature’s clean-up crew. Without vultures, our environment would be plagued by rotting carcasses, posing a significant risk to human and animal health."

Vultures' stomachs have a pH level that allows them to feed on meat with diseases like rabies and anthrax without getting affected. They can finish a donkey (or other) carcass in a few days due to their feeding frenzies, making them an essential component of ecosystem balance.  However, they are facing numerous threats, including poisoning, electrocution and collision with powerlines. 

Poisoning is a major concern, with intentional poisoning by poachers being a significant threat. Unintentional poisoning also occurs when people poison carcasses to target carnivores that attack their livestock, and vultures end up feeding on the poisoned carcasses.

The illegal trade of vultures and their body parts is also a significant threat. According to Josephine Maringa from the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management at the National University of Science and Technology, "the illegal trade of vultures is driven by belief-based use, with many people believing that vultures have supernatural powers." This has led to the harvest and use of vultures and their body parts without permits, posing a significant threat to vulture populations in Africa.

To contribute to vulture conservation, Ms Antonio emphasises that it is crucial for people to take action. Reporting poisoning cases to relevant authorities is a critical step in preventing further deaths. Additionally, stopping retaliatory killings of carnivores that attack livestock can help reduce the risk of unintentional poisoning. 

People can also play a role by reporting any vulture nests seen in their area and refraining from destroying nests or taking eggs. "Every effort counts," she said, "and collective action can make a significant difference in the long-term survival of vultures."

Zimbabwe: land of animal lovers

Although it has been 17 years since he lived there, Walt still has contacts in the Land of Bambazonke, aka Zimbabwe, in the southeast part of darkest Africa.

Zimbabwe is full of wildlife. Tourists come from the four corners of the earth to see the animals before they are poached and eaten. The locals -- notice I didn't say "natives" -- are great animal lovers too, as evidenced by a case heard in the court at Marondera this week.

Not pictured above is Tawanda Rangwani, aged 18, of Kuwarega village in Masomera, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of bestiality, after (allegedly) having been caught with his pants down having relations with a neighbour's goat.

The court was told that the complainant Ndaizivei Mero tied her goat to a tree and left it grazing. The accused allegedly untied the goat and took it to a nearby bush where he sexually abused it. He was allegedly caught in the act by another villager, Chamunorwa Mhimha, and fled from the scene. Mr Mhimha pursued the accused and apprehended him before filing a police report.

In his defence, Mr Rangwani said he had been framed. Magistrate Sharon Mashavire will give her judgment on December 4th. The state was represented by Marvelous Machacha, whose name has been entered in Walt's collection of marvelous African monikers.