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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Two raptors have been stolen from Raptor Rescue on the N2 near Harkerville during a break-in last night, Wednesday 13 September.

An urgent appeal has gone out for information that will lead to the safe return of Capone, a yellow-billed kite and Blackie, an American black vulture. Raptor Rescue co-owner, Laura Fotheringham, is also offering an award.

The motive behind the theft remains a mystery but Fotheringham is concerned that someone may try to sell the birds or that they may be killed for muti. Blackie’s ring number is 9A64721 and Capone’s is 7A05728, but apparently some of the numbers are unclear.

Blackie is an imprint (or bred from capture), and Capone is a trained bird - both are flighted. 

“We have opened a case with the police and reported the theft to Cape Nature. A reward is offered for their safe return. These birds will stress and become dehydrated quickly," Fotheringham said.

Kerri Wolter, CEO of Vulpro, an organisation formed to save Africa’s vultures, said Blackie, which is on loan to Raptor Rescue in Plett, was herself rescued from a pet shop near Johannesburg.”

Blackie, an American black vulture.

Often victims of superstition

Vultures are highly sought-after for superstition purposes and body parts are used in muti. The brain is used to “foresee the future”, the feathers are used for headaches and the talons are so-called lucky charms. 

“Vultures are also seen as evil in some cultures and are killed for no reason - but I have only seen this in wild areas,” said Wolter. She says the thief could plan to sell the birds, use the body parts or even be a bird trader. “You do get them,” said Wolter.

"The theft is not only causing us trauma, but you can imagine the trauma the birds are going through now. We don’t know how they are being handled, their conditions or how they are being kept - in a box or cage. It’s horrendous,” said Wolter.

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