Last stand for survival

Thank your sharing this with us.  Vultures are in serious trouble wherever they occur around the world.  Here in southern Africa they command high prices in the muthi (traditional medicine) trade where, amongst other things, their body parts may be used in divination to forecast the outcome of soccer matches for betting purposes.  However, they are also being killed accidentally by hits on power lines, and by the use of diclofenac.  It must be said that our state power supplier is going to considerable lengths to reduce mortalities on power lines and is achieving some success in the process.  I have heard that diclofenac may not be legally obtained for veterinary purposes although it is said to still be available as foreign countries dump stocks here.  Deliberate use of poisons remains rife as poachers poison carcases and waterholes, and as farmers attempt to eradicate "vermin" animals. 
On the positive side, the conservation agencies have active management programmes for these birds, and NGOs such as Birdlife South Africa, and others, are also active.