Here Comes the Judge, An Elegant White Backed Vulture… On Safari— Part 10

/ Curt Mekemson
In 2013, an injured white backed vulture baby was discovered in the Zambezi National Park and brought to the Wildlife Trust facilities near Victoria Falls. Its injuries meant it would never be able to fly so it became a permanent resident. The Trust named the vulture, Judge. I was taking his photo when he suddenly started flapping his wings and coming toward me. The meme made famous by Sammy Davis Jr. on Rowen and Martin’s “Laugh In” popped into my mind. “Here comes the judge.” I had the feeling that ‘the Judge’ might be weighing my food value instead of my misdeeds, however.
Judge has earned the title ‘Ambassador for Vultures’ by educating thousands of children and making appearances at various events such as agricultural shows, thus becoming the ambassador for vulture conservation in Zimbabwe. Peggy and I were totally taken in by the beauty, and the seeming dignity of the large vulture. We took lots of photos…
Judge is one of the 4 species of vultures found in Zimbabwe. White backed vultures have a lifespan that stretches up to 50 years, mate for life and have one chick per year. The low breeding rates mean that the species is particularly vulnerable to outside threats. it is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
We thought Judge looked like he was contemplating the future of white backed vultures in this photo. The single largest threat is poisoning. Once again, poaching is a major factor. When poachers kill an elephant for its ivory or a rhinoceros for its horn, vultures will circle the kill, which allows wildlife rangers to hone in on the poachers. To reduce the possibility, poachers poison the carcasses and kill the vultures.
Judge seen from behind in his legal robe/feathers.
Here, several white backed vultures are resting after a feast. As many as 100 vultures may descend on a single carcass such as a zebra and pick it clean in a matter of minutes. They often gorge themselves to the degree that they can’t fly! A pair of Malibu storks are on the left.
I’ll conclude today with this white backed vulture, wings spread wide, outlined on it’s perch in a tree. On Friday, we get up close with lions!

12 thoughts on “Here Comes the Judge, An Elegant White Backed Vulture… On Safari— Part 10”

  1. That’s an impressive bird. I was struck by the obvious strength of its beak. I suppose it’s perfectly designed for tearing into carrion. I noticed those relatively featherless necks; like vultures, its a way to keep them tidy while going after dinner.

    It was fun seeing them with the pair of storks, although that name — Malibu storks — made me laugh. Can you imagine the scene if some of them showed up on our Malibu beaches?

    Reply

    • The thought of the storks showing up on Malibu beaches made me laugh, Linda. Yes, I imagine there. would be quite a stir!

      The beak is interesting, Linda. Actually it isn’t great at tearing. The white backed vultures can’t tear through tough skin. I suspect they depend on their cohorts for that. They are all about soft parts! The literature says they are great at yanking!

      Reply

  4. We were inspired to look up vultures a couple days ago after seeing them by the road: a group on the ground is a committee; in the air they are a kettle; and feeding they are a wake. A favorite “Far Side” joke: two vultures looking a dead third saying “I don’t know if we should have a funeral or a picnic.” Now I know they could do both and have a wake.

    Reply

    • Remember when Snoopy used to hang out in a tree and stare down at people vulture-like? Another cartoon I remember is two vultures in a tree waiting for something to die and one says to the other, “The heck with patience, let’s go kill something.” That might have been Far-Side as well. I knew about the committee, but not abut the wake. Thanks, Ray.

      Reply

  6. Judge is gorgeous. I agree with you and Peggy that he’s a beautiful bird. The information about how they get poisoned is really distressing. Something that would be very hard to fight against. I didn’t realize how terribly vulnerable they are. Thanks for that information, and thank you for the magnificent shots of him.

    Reply

Leave a comment