African vulture trade

[1] Recent research suggests that 90% of vulture species declines in Africa may be due to a combination of poisoning and illegal wildlife trade for medicinal use and/or bushmeat.

[2][5] Poaching and harvest of vultures for market trade usually involves poisoning the birds by baiting livestock and wildlife carcasses with agrochemicals.

West Africa consists of the following 15 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.

It is also a big part of the culture in Central and West Africa because bushmeat is their most important source of protein.

Important as this is for the humans who rely on the bushmeat, it puts the survival of many species of vultures found in West Africa at risk.

Specifically habitat disturbance, level of protection, hunting pressure, and distance to market have reduced forests throughout the region.

[18] Human life is another risk due to bushmeat being eaten when it is known to be a non dietary supplement of solid food.

[18] Due to the lack of knowledge and monetary funds, poor income families were forced to obtain the wild animal meat in order to feast and gain protein.

In a study done in areas of Nigeria and Cameroon, it is estimated that more than 900,000 reptiles, birds, and mammals are sold each year which is approximately 12,000 tonnes of terrestrial vertebrates.

Combined with Black kite they make up 41% of the raptor bushmeat market in West and Central Africa.

[5] In the bushmeat market, the most frequently traded species are those with scavenging behavior, generalist or savannah habitat use, and an afrotropical breeding range.

[5] Approximately half of the vultures sold at bushmeat markets are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List for threatened and endangered species.

[5] Poachers also harvest vultures in sub-Saharan Africa to sell their parts to people for belief use practices, such as traditional medicine, African vudon, and witchcraft.

[21] The use of vultures for traditional medicine is a prominent feature of some South African cultures, such as the Zulu people.

"Research confirms that vultures are used... for a range of purposes, but are believed to be most effective for providing clairvoyant powers, foresight, and increased intelligence".

White-headed and Lappet-faced vultures could disappear entirely in approximately 27 years if drastic changes are not made to increase protective measures for these birds.

In a study done by Beilis and Esterhuizen, parts used for belief use ranged from vulture eyes and hearts to feathers and bones.

But this does not bring into account unregistered healers or the high demand that exists during elections or significant events of that nature.

[23] In Zimbabwe, the Southern Ground-Hornbill's population has dropped significantly outside of designated protection areas, and is now a national concern.

[27][28] For example, some groups within Kenya believe vultures to be unclean and ugly,[28] while others associate them with death and view them as bad omens.

Large vultures are believed to help against mental illnesses and disturbances, epileptic health concerns, and to cure bad eyesight.

The Hooded Vulture is traditionally buried in the ground before the construction of a new house, because it is believed to bring good luck.

[31] Vultures are used for physical, mental diseases, bring good fortune, improve success in gambling and betting in business ventures.

Approximately half of the vultures sold are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a threatened or endangered species.

[4] “In the past four years, approximately 1000 beheaded poisoned vultures have been found in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Tanzania.

The use due to the demand being high, black kites head feathers are plucked as a substitute for the hooded vultures.

[5] There are several instances in Central Africa were dealers are selling vulture heads for traditional medicine.

[2] The main reason vulture poisonings are so prevalent is a by product of another broader problem endemic to Africa, poaching.

With a sharp increase in rhino and elephant poaching over the last few years poachers have been poisoning the carcasses to kill any circling vultures which might reveal their position to the local authorities.

Additionally many pastoralists in Africa poison carcasses to kill marauding lions, hyenas, and wild dogs.