First Survivors Released into the Wild Post-Mass Poisoning Event

SANParks Pilot, Bradford Grafton with one of the rescued vultures //. The 18 vultures being release. Photo Credit: SANParks / EWT

A devastating mass poisoning event impacted numerous vultures in the Kruger National Park. But heroes and hope prevailed when many of the birds’ lives were saved. Now, 18 vultures have successfully been released!

Kruger National Park, South Africa (19 May 2025) — Earlier this month, a devastating mass poisoning event impacted vultures in the Kruger National Park.

After suspicious activity was flagged in a remote section of the park early on 6 May, the heartbreaking scene revealed itself with hundreds of vultures affected. Thanks to the joint teamwork of SANParks rangers and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) officials, along with support teams from Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner Veterinary Services and Wildscapes Veterinary Service, 84 vultures were able to be rescued alive.

The poisoning is said to have been the result of an elephant carcass laced with highly toxic agrochemical pesticides, poison laid by poachers to harvest body parts for the illegal wildlife trade. This event is shorthand for the rising threat of poison poaching that is impacting wildlife across Southern Africa.

However, heroes who acted quickly and the hope that guided their efforts have prevailed. In a good news update from the terrible event, the first group of vulture survivors were successfully released back into the wild on 15 May following incredible rehabilitation work.

As the Endangered Wildlife Trust shared along with video confirmation of the release, “these birds are among the survivors of one of the most severe vulture poisoning events ever recorded in South Africa. Their release marks a key milestone in a larger recovery effort still underway.”

The clip of the vultures flying high once more is a powerful visual. It’s a reminder that even when tragedy strikes, it does not dictate the end of the story.