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Knutsford birds of prey centre striving to save 'nature's binmen'

Source

www.bbc.co.uk

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A blonde-haired woman stands next to a dark-haired man in the middle who is next to a large black vulture with a pink and red neck and head perching on a wooden stump.

Understand

Knutsford birds of prey centre works to save endangered vultures

Overview

The Gauntlet Birds of Prey Centre in Knutsford, Cheshire, is working to help reverse the decline of African vultures, which have dropped by up to 50% in 50 years according to BirdLife International. Run by siblings Daisy and Jake Bessant, whose father founded the centre 30 years ago, the facility uses educational events and breeding programmes while funding international conservation work, including a vulture ambulance in South Africa and monitoring projects with charities like the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Vulpro.

Key points

  • African vulture species have declined by up to 97% over the last 50 years according to BirdLife International.
  • Gauntlet Birds of Prey Centre in Knutsford raises awareness through educational events and flying shows using 'bird ambassadors'.
  • Vultures play a vital ecological role by clearing carcasses, stopping disease spread, and cleaning water sources.
  • The centre has funded conservation projects for 18 years, including a South African 'vulture ambulance' for mass poisonings.
  • Jake and Daisy Bessant regularly travel to South Africa to monitor chicks, fit GPS trackers, and support rehabilitation charities like Vulpro.
  • The Knutsford centre hatched a record-breaking 29 chicks this year and has applied for planning permission for a new facility to expand its conservation work.
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