The Chariot
Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres)
Vultures are the most endangered group of birds, not only is suitable habitat being reduced through agriculture and urbanization, but climate change, persecution, and poisoning have lead to a steady decline of several species. The cape vulture is no exception, a species that lays a single egg a year. As a result they haven't been able to bounce back to their original numbers and are even locally extinct in parts of their range.
Conservation both in-situ protecting habitat and studying the wild birds as well as ex-situ breeding programmes in accredited zoos are vital if we want to ensure the survival of these magnificent animals for future generations.
As a personal project I am going to aim to draw every species of vulture this year, this is the first of the tarot cards and the concept started with the initial sketch of this bird. The Chariot represents overcoming obstacles through willpower, focus, and determination. Let's hope I have enough of those things to complete this project!
