UPDATE ON THE BEARDED VULTURES OF SOUTH AFRICA

Thursday, mARCH 13, 2025
Coronado Center Auditorium

HSV Audubon welcomes back Margrit and Russ Harris to update members and guests on the fate of the endangered bearded vultures of southern Africa.

In September 2023, Margrit and Russ Harris last visited Shannon Hoffman at the Bred4theWild project, just as it was being forced out of its location near Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal, South Arica. Two unanticipated problems were threatening the very survival of the bearded babies in captivity. 

The stunning bearded vulture is endangered, due to habitat loss and destructive legends that date back centuries, both in Europe and Africa. Over a decade ago, Shannon and a small team at Bred4theWild embarked on a near-impossible journey to breed, and then release, third generation birds to strengthen the dwindling wild populations. 

Margrit and Russ Harris, residents in the Village, have known Shannon since 2009. They were privileged to watch the project evolve and even to “meet” Lesedi the bearded vulture, rescued from a chicken coop, who inspired the journey to save her entire species.

The Harrises last spoke to Audubon members and guests in January 2023 and will provide an update on the fate of the vultures.