Abstract:
As obligate scavengers, vultures are entirely dependent on carrion resources. In this study we model
the carrion ecology of an ecosystem in Swaziland which is home to the densest breeding population
of the African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). We collected data on life-history parameters
of the avian scavenging guild of the area as well as the potential food available from the ungulate
fauna. By using novel Population Dynamics P-Systems we show that carrion provided by wild
ungulates biomass is currently enough to sustain this vulture species. However, in light of forecasted
population increases, food will become limiting. We discuss the significance of mass closure of
supplementary feeding stations in Swaziland which now forces these birds to forage farther afield
endangering them to poisoning events. We put these results in the context of biomass management
and suggest conservation actions to secure the viability of vulture populations and the important
ecosystem services they provide.
