The WildLife Podcast: Vultures, Corinne Kendall

In this episode, Laurel Neme and Jeff Barbee delve into the world of vultures—what they are, why they’re important, the threats they face, and what happens if we lose them.

Guest:

Dr. Corinne Kendall, conservation biologist and Southern Africa Program Director for The Peregrine Fund.

Vultures are big, high-flying birds that can soar on thermals with little effort. They also have keen eyesight and sense of smell that lets them find carcasses even from miles away. They play a critical role in the ecosystem by consuming the remains of dead animals, which in turn keeps diseases at bay.

On the African continent, vultures are in serious trouble. One of the main threats to them is poisoning. As scavengers, they're particularly susceptible—especially when carcasses are laced with lethal pesticides. This can lead to high mortality events and cause populations to plummet. Yet The Peregrine Fund, Endangered Wildlife Trust and others are doing a lot to help them, such as helping rangers find the birds in time for them to be rehabilitated.

Listen to this episode on Podbean, YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.