Key points:
- Vultures provide $1.8bn in ecosystem benefits in southern Africa
- Populations have declined by up to 97% in five decades
- Poisoning, habitat loss, and climate change threaten survival
VULTURES play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance across southern Africa, providing essential sanitation and pest control services valued at $1.8 billion annually, according to a new report by BirdLife International.
Launched in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, the study highlights the importance of vultures in countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, not only for environmental health but also for economic and tourism benefits.
Alarming population decline
Africa is home to 11 vulture species, but seven are at risk of extinction, classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Over the last 50 years, vulture populations have plummeted by 80 to 97 percent, with major threats including:
- Poisoning linked to traditional beliefs and human-wildlife conflicts.
- Electrocution from high-voltage transmission lines.
- Habitat destruction due to land use changes and climate change.
In 2019, a mass poisoning event in Botswana killed 500 critically endangered vultures, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.
Economic and conservation imperatives
The report warns that failure to protect vultures could cost the region $47 million annually, while effective conservation could generate $30 million each year.
Matthew Lewis, head of conservation in Africa at BirdLife International, stressed the urgency of action: ‘This groundbreaking study on vultures’ economic value is key to advancing conservation efforts.’
Leeroy Moyo, from BirdLife Zimbabwe, emphasised the need for policy advocacy, awareness campaigns, and community-driven conservation strategies to secure a sustainable future for vultures.
With rapid declines continuing, experts urge immediate intervention to safeguard vultures and the crucial role they play in Africa’s ecosystems and economies.
