Munir Virani, Shiv Kapila and Teeku Patel attached four GSM-GPS units on Ruppell's and African White-backed Vultures in the Masai Mara last week (October 17th, 2010). This is part of Corinne Kendall's PhD study where she is looking at how land-use changes in Kenya is affecting vulture diversity and abundance.

The wildebeest are heading back to the Serengeti and the carcasses appear to be dominated by Ruppell's vultures. The vulture biologists also had a unique opportunity to insert a video camera inside the carcass of a wildebeest to get a different perspective of vulture feeding behavior. Watch it here.

Below photos courtesy of Teeku Patel/sokomoto.com

Attaching the straps to the GSM-GPS unit

Typing the attachment straps

Munir and Shiv with one of the vultures

The vulture is released, carrying its new transmitter.

Find more articles about Rüppell's Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Africa