Flight for the Plight of the Vulture
3 - 18 November 2001
The Cape Griffon vulture in Namibia is almost extinct, and needs to be saved.
Jorg Diekmann, hang glider pilot from the area, came up with this unique idea.
Many know of the work Maria Diekmann is doing to save the last remaining
Cape Griffon vultures in Namibia from extinction, mainly at the Waterberg
Plateau Park. In this regard she has set up the Trust, REST (Rare and
Endangered Species Trust) with the help of Trish Cooper and Laurie Carreira.
Priority projects and funding for them are constantly being worked on. The
present status of these birds is that they are Namibia's most endangered
species. With photographic sponsorship by Foto First of Otjiwarongo, it has
been determined that there are definitely six birds remaining and there
could be as many as eleven. The decline is attributed mainly to poisoning by
farmers who are trying to eliminate jackal and leopard with the belief that
they are responsible for the majority of their livestock losses. In order to
address this problem, it is mandatory that more is known about the vultures'
behavioural and foraging patterns, their sex and much more. Secondly,
alternative solutions to current poisoning practices through education must
be offered to the farmers.
Funding for satellite collars - each costing a cool US$2,000 - to fit on the
remaining birds, as well as for pamphlets and educational talks in order to
reach the farmers, are required. Only when the education of both communal
and commercial farmers is achieved, can the possibility of introducing Cape
Griffons from other colonies in South Africa be explored, in the hope that
once again a viable breeding population can be established.
Although there are breeding colonies in South Africa, the number of birds is
carefully monitored to study the effects of poisoning, electrification,
diminishing habitat and poison free food supplies.
All of these projects certainly cost money. Since flying is Jorg Diekmann's
passion, specifically hang gliding, and since hang gliders share the same
air space with our vulture friends and use the same engine - the sun - he
thought that this would be a great way to raise funds for these endangered
and elegant birds. The most important benefit would be the exposure the
birds would get, which will certainly raise public awareness of their dire
plight.
The plan is that pilots will launch at certain places and fly cross-country,
riding thermals like vultures in order to accumulate kilometers flown. Donor
companies and individuals will be requested to sponsor either individual
pilots or all pilots for kilometers flown which will then go towards the
vulture fund. So far hang gliders, paragliders and perhaps some sail-plane
pilots are preparing to fly.
In order to insure fiscal responsibility, all funds will go in to REST's
account with the Namibia Nature Foundation. The NNF is recognized in Namibia
and worldwide for their efforts in protecting flora and fauna, and for
initiating and funding projects that will benefit mankind and our
environment.
It is planned to have a web page up and going within the next couple of
months so that the public can see the status of the vultures and the event
details. Companies who wish to sponsor the event will get the opportunity to
support the most endangered species in Namibia and get recognition for their
efforts.
To make this a successful event, your help is needed. If you are a pilot,
then fly for the vultures. Should you own a place with the possibility of
accommodating the pilots for a night or two where launching hang gliders,
i.e., a long air strip or a mountain accessible by car can be done, then
this would be your opportunity to get some exposure and some free
advertising. Should you own a pickup and would like to be a driver for two
weeks and tour this beautiful country, then your help would be gratefully
accepted. Should you be a vulture friend, then you could put word out about
this big flight and stay glued to the screen and witness the coolest event
in this just started millennium. Any financial support would be highly
appreciated.
MORE DETAILS
The dates are set from the 3rd to the 18th of November 2001. Anybody wishing
to stay longer is more than welcome to tap on to Namibia's thermal power. On
the 10th of November, it is planned to have a community awareness day and
event at the Otjiwarongo airfield. The public is encouraged to visit the
airfield and see the pilots launch. There will be information on the birds,
and Maria will be available to answer questions. Perhaps a few captive
raised and non-releasable vultures will be there for the day. People will be
able to see how beautiful these birds are, and learn how beneficial they are
to our land. The image of vultures is changing and should continue to do so.
The flying route will be a combination of scenic areas as well as potential
cross country areas. The flight will start up north at the Diekmann farm in
the vicinity of the Waterberg Plateau, the home of the Cape Griffon. If we
get enough registered tandem pilots, we would like to offer short tandem
rides in a hang glider or paraglider. Perhaps some of the micro-light pilots
would be interested in offering bird's eye views to the public. The rest of
the tour will take us through the Namib desert, either Damaraland or
Sossusvlei and then heading south towards the gliding mecca, Bitterwasser
and possibly further south towards Fish River Canyon.
This will be a very demanding route requiring stronger piloting skills with
special regard to towing. Jorg Diekmann warns that pilots with little towing
experience should not attempt to participate.
Currently they are trying to find sponsorship for prizes for the pilot with
the most accumulated kilometers as well as the pilot with the best aerial
photo of a fellow pilot, let it be a bird, vulture or ultimately a Cape
Griffon. While they are searching high and low for sponsorship of kilometers
flown, it would be appreciated if all pilots and interested parties could
help in this search. Don't forget to ask your companies, partners etc., if
they would be willing to support your flying, and these critically
endangered vultures with financial sponsorship.
Contact Jörg and Maria Diekmann for more information:
e-mail address: awt@iafrica.com.na
REST -Rare and Endangered Species Trust
PO Box 178 Otjiwarongo 9000 Namibia
TEL/FAX - 00264-67-306226
Contact in South Africa: Laura Nelson
e-mail funwings@global.co.za
Tel: (011) 609-1678 Fax: (011) 452-1654
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