West African Vulture Conservation Action Plan launched

The launch of the West African Vulture Conservation Action Plan (WAVCAP) marks a significant milestone in the efforts to safeguard vultures in the region.

Vultures, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance by scavenging on decaying carcasses, have experienced alarming declines worldwide, with African populations plummeting by 80-97% over the last five decades, with some species facing a decline of more than 92%.

The main threats include poisoning (responsible for 61% of recorded vulture deaths across Africa); belief-based use (29%); and electrocution by energy infrastructure (9%). Halting and reversing these declines is imperative to prevent vultures from becoming extinct across the continent.

In West Africa, widespread poisoning of vultures for belief-based use poses a severe threat, with incidents such as a mass poisoning in Guinea-Bissau in 2020 resulting in the death of more than 2,000 Critically Endangered Hooded Vultures. Other threats in the region include direct killing for meat and habitat destruction. Urgent intervention is needed to address these unsustainable losses.

Hooded Vulture has declined sharply in West Africa as a result of poisoning, poaching and other factors (Ben Eaton).

The development of the WAVCAP is a result of collaborative efforts involving individuals and institutions dedicated to vulture conservation. The plan aims to address key threats faced by vultures in West Africa, with a focus on reducing the imminent threat posed by belief-based use. The vision is to ensure that by 2043, vulture populations across West Africa have achieved sustainable levels, have become protected by effective legal frameworks, and are thriving in a healthy environment in harmony with people. The Plan targets actions to be carried out across 16 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, Federal Minister of State Environment, Nigeria, said: "The vulture bird is an important member of our ecosystem that does the dirty work of cleaning our environment of carcasses, keeping it healthy and preventing diseases. Vultures are also our important ally in preventing illegal poaching. Unfortunately, over the years, their survival has become threatened by indiscriminate harvesting for use in traditional medicine and deliberate poisoning by illegal poachers. The West African Vulture Conservation Action Plan, which spells out the critical actions we need to undertake to save the vulture, is therefore a commendable initiative that I support on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria. The change we seek can only come from making commitments to save these birds as enshrined in the Plan."

Mr. Kariuki Ndang'ang'a, BirdLife International's Regional Director for Africa, added: "The WAVCAP could not have come at a more opportune time. As vultures continue to decline, our efforts and actions should match the vulture crisis. With Africa being home to 11 species vultures of which six are known to occur in West Africa the continent should be on the forefront of saving the species. I am hopeful, that the co-ordinated operationalisation of WAVCAP, and support from key stakeholders including governments and local communities will turn the tide for vultures in West Africa."