Let the game begin...
the survival of our vulture species depend on it!

Dear supporter,

As an ardent nature lover, you have to agree that vultures have a bit of a public relations problem. Granted, they are not the fairest of birds and their dining etiquette leaves much to be desired. However, if greatness depends on service - as a modern-day sage once observed - vultures received greatness in abundance.

As you know, vultures rapidly consume animal remains, preventing the carcasses from acting as hosts to various diseases that may spread to other animals, including livestock. Unfortunately, all too often, vultures become the innocent victims of poisonings, power line electrocutions and persecution.

So what do tagging, the survival of vulture species and greatness have in common? Tagging plays a crucial role in research aimed at supporting the survival of vultures, which rank among some of South Africa's most threatened species. We cannot afford to lose such greatness. But, we also cannot afford to undertake large-scale tagging projects without your financial assistance.

Therefore, we invite you to a game of tag: if you provide the money - every R150 you donate buys us another tag and the time and expertise to fit it - the dedicated members of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Birds of Prey Working Group will gladly do the tagging, patagial tagging that is.

Patagial tagging refers to the fitting of a plastic tag to a bird's patagium, the frontal flap of skin on the wing. Patagial tagging has already been used with great success on a wide range of bird species, including the vultures and condors of Europe and North America. It is fast replacing the old coloured leg-rings, which discolour over time and are easily removed by some of our more dexterous feathered friends!

We have already tagged a small sample of vultures in this way and the re-sighting of these tagged birds has yielded results which have exceeded our wildest expectations! Being able to track tagged birds enables us to monitor population trends, determine the success of their rehabilitation and better understand their distribution and use of our environment. This was recently demonstrated through the successful use of a patagial tag in the tracking of a Hooded Vulture poison survivor who turned out to be quite a wanderer. A001 is a trendsetter not only for this new development in bird tagging, but also for extending the boundaries of our knowledge of this species. You can read more about A001 overleaf. In fact, you could even be the one renaming A001 during a wonderful weekend away for three ...

So, if tagging is your game, please donate online at www.ewt.org.za.

The greatness of your act will preserve the greatness of vultures for generations to come!

Yours sincerely,

Yolan Friedman
CEO: EWT

PS: Remember to read about A001 and our exciting competition below!

PPS: Please visit www.ewt.org.za for more information or call us on (011) 486 1102. To keep up to date on the developments with these and other groundbreaking projects at the EWT, subscribe to our regular electronic newsletter on http://www.ewt.org.za/news_subscribe.aspx

NPO 015-502     PBO 930 001 777

Meet A001: Our survivor turned wanderer

In November 2005, an immediate response by the EWT helped 17 vultures to survive a severe poisoning incident in which 30 other vultures died. The survivors were ringed, fitted with patagial tags and released after their successful rehabilitation at the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre near Hoedspruit, Limpopo.

The only Hooded Vulture in the group was fitted with the first patagial tag with the number A001. Though still an immature bird when poisoned, A001's fighting spirit kept him alive. Once released, his fighting spirit turned into wanderlust!

During the past twelve months, A001 has been sighted east of Lower Sabie south of Skukuza and north of the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park. He has dined at the Moholoholo vulture restaurant and has been spotted on nine occasions in the private nature reserves adjacent to the Kruger. This proves that, despite its smaller size when compared to other vultures, the Hooded Vulture has adapted well to the patagial tag. Judging by pictures of A001, he is doing very well and is competing successfully for food, especially if buffalo or giraffe are on the menu! It seems the only thing A001 now needs is a proper name!

And that's where you, our donors, have an important role to play: Donate R300 or more towards our patagial tagging project, and you stand the chance of renaming A001! We will also invite you to enjoy a relaxing two-night stay for three people at the luxurious Savanna Lodge* - where A001 is spotted regularly - to witness the official renaming**. Situated inside the Savanna Private Game Reserve at Sabi Sabi, the Lodge will charm you with its "Out of Africa'-ambiance and exceptional service. Last, but not least, you will receive a certificate to make the renaming official.

Thank you in advance for your donations, irrespective of the amount - every rand makes a difference.

However, if you donate R300 or more, either by mail or online, remember to fill in your name suggestion on the donation form and we might pull out your name during our lucky draw! Make sure your donations reach us by 30 April 2007 to qualify. Good luck - may the best name win!

* To find out more about Savanna Lodge, visit www.savannalodge.com or call (013) 751-2474.
** The winner will be informed of the available dates in terms of accommodation and the scheduling of A001's renaming.