With her keen eyesight African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) soars above the African savannah, searching for food. After finding a freshly killed animal, She wheels in the sky to signal other Vultures to come and eat. This gregarious Vulture joins other Vultures such as Ruppell’s Griffin to dine on the carcass.
In South Africa, the Zulu call African White-Backed Vulture Inge (The Purifier) because She ate things that were dead. When a Zulu Sangoma (traditional healer) throws his “bones”, he includes her beak to symbolize death. Sacred to the Zulu, African White-backed Vulture enjoys their King’s protection.
African people recognize the incredible ability of African White-backed Vulture to find food almost anywhere. The Shona of Zimbabwe believe that She can do this because She visits the future. Because of this, the Shona use her heart to predict the future.
African White-backed Vulture is so focused in finding food that people think She is visiting the future. You can learn from Her how to maintain a narrow focus while surveying a wide vista. Just remember to live in the present instead of the future.
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Conservation Note: African White-backed Vulture is endangered throughout Africa.
Va. Carper