Simon Thomsett

Category: Poisoning, The story behind the Expedition, vultures | Date: Aug 14 2008 | By: Laila Bahaa-el-din

Simon and I joined forces again not too long after my time in Athi River, this time to take on the Mara. Our mission was to catch and tag vultures for research, this during the wildebeest migration. Our work involved tracing vultures back to a carcass, setting nooses on the carcass so that vultures would get caught in them, and then quickly removing the noose from the vulture, tagging its wing and releasing it.

Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture

On the first day, we did a trial run, which was actually successful. I sat there, holding my first vulture, and was amazed at how beautiful it was. Having grown up with the same preconception as most that vultures are ugly creatures, I was stunned to find them to be elegant fliers, masters of the sky. Over the course of that week in the Mara, my respect for these animals increased. This only served to deepen my sadness about the poisoning of wildlife that is taking place, which ultimately affects a huge number of vultures that feed on the poisoned carcasses.

Holding my first vulture

Spending a week in the Mara led to other wildlife treats. We came across what has to be one of the largest wild pythons on the planet. Cat sightings included leopards, cheetahs, and lions making a kill. Contrary to the average person, I am much more at ease bathing in rivers and eating camp food than having hot showers and fancy dining. There’s also nothing quite like going to sleep to the sounds of lions and leopards calling into the night.

Tags: Mara, Poisoning, Vulture

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