“Bound but not Broken: The Rouxville Vulture’s Rescue” – Original Watercolour Painting

When the NSPCA was tipped off about a Cape Vulture being advertised illegally online, Inspectors arrived to find a heartbreaking scene: the endangered bird tied to a steel bar with nylon rope, wings pinned, spirit fading.

This was not a one-off incident. It was a snapshot of the broader, brutal reality of wildlife trafficking in South Africa, where sentient beings are reduced to commodities.

But thanks to swift action and expert care, the Rouxville Vulture was rescued and transferred to VulPro, a specialised rehabilitation centre for vultures and birds of prey. There, the long road to recovery began.

🎨 Bound but Not Broken is the seventh original in the Mandela Day 2025 series by Art by Mareli. With delicate watercolour and powerful symbolism, it captures both the cruelty inflicted and the quiet resilience that remains.

🦅 All proceeds support the NSPCA’s national wildlife protection work.