As part of Sandfire’s biodiversity work in Botswana, Motheo has developed and implemented a plan to protect and enhance the habitat of the critically endangered white-backed vulture.
Our teams have completed important work in understanding and mapping critical habitat for the white-backed vulture, whose habitat is found near our Motheo operations, and whose population has fallen by around 80 per cent since the early 1990’s.
The white-backed vulture is a highly social scavenger bird whose population has dwindled due to poisoning, habitat loss and human threats. These birds are known as ‘Old World’ vultures and were once the most common and widespread vulture species in Africa. They can grow to a metre in height with a two-metre wingspan, can fly to speeds of up to 65 km/hr and live to 19 years.
Due to their diet and evolution, the white-backed vulture is able to break down bacteria that grows on rotting carcasses. Their role as ‘cleaning crew’ of dead mammals means they are helping to prevent the spread of disease to other roaming mammalian populations. Essentially, they are flying autoclaves, capable of sanitising rotting flesh before pathogens get the chance to spread throughout the community.
At Motheo, protecting the white-backed vulture is about more than monitoring a species – it is about helping restore the habitat this important bird depends on. Each year, the team monitors the local white-backed vulture population and has established a nursery on site to propagate seedlings from tree species favoured for nesting. So far, the nursery has raised about 500 seedlings, which will play an important role in the mine’s progressive rehabilitation.
Motheo has also taken practical steps on the ground to safeguard the species, such as avoiding mature nesting trees on its land. These actions reflect a thoughtful approach to protecting biodiversity while supporting responsible mining operations.
