Botswana raptors face extinction

"Only 10 species of the Bateleurs were recorded in Kgalagadi and Chobe areas," a press statement from Birdlife Botswana revealed. The statement reveals the findings of a Bird Population Monitoring programme that was conducted in November last year by Birdlife Botswana in conjunction with the Department of Wildlife National Parks (DWNP).

Globally threatened vultures, according to the statement, were also reported, including 17 White-backed Vultures within Kgalagadi, Chobe and Central Districts, two Lappet-faced Vulture Bibing in Kgalagadi, one White-headed Vulture at Kasane and five Cape Vultures at Mannyelanong and Sefhare. These numbers, it states, do not represent total population estimates in sampled areas, nor will they be used to estimate population sizes.