Lonely Lammergeier

Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa

One of the best places in the world to see the Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture is in the Drakensberg. Here the Lammergeier reigns supreme gliding effortlessly over cliffs and through pinnacles. Yet they are also in perilous danger. The subspecies Gypaetus Barbatus Meridionalis is endangered in Southern Africa. Confined only to Lesotho and South Africa (in the immediate vicinity of the Drakensberg) it is thought numbers are declining. Some estimate breeding pairs to be as low as 100. Yet whilst we were out in the Drakensberg we were fortunate to see these birds several times, both juveniles and fully grown. They are a truly remarkable sight.