Vulture Project

The Kansas City Zoo has a unique opportunity to assist the Rare and Endangered Species Trust in Namibia, Africa to help the conservation of Griffon, Lappet-faced and White-backed vultures. 

Dr. Suedmeyer, Director of Animal Health and Research, traveled to Africa in May 2008 to establish contacts with various researchers and conservation officials to assist their programs and generate new projects. Through a collaborative effort, satellite transmitters are being placed to track the movements, and thus document home ranges for these species.

This effort will allow us to gain valuable knowledge into their natural history which will help care for vultures in zoos. The Kansas City Zoo has a pair of Lappet-faced vultures on exhibit in the Africa section of the Zoo.