On the May 6th 2025, some newspapers reviewed a story told by rangers from Kruger National Park,South Africa. « Massacre » and « devastating » were some of the strong words used to depict the scene observe by wildlife experts : more than 120 dead vultures, poisoned on purpose by poachers who tainted an elephant carcass. This technique is often used by criminals to get rid of scavengers, especially vultures whose larges flocks are easy to spot from a distance. So many birds killed might be amongst the deadliest counts for this type of felony and yet, few talk about vultures. Too few, considering that these birds are sliding fast towards extinction.
There are 23 species of vultures across the world, including 11 in Africa. Easily identified by an appearance shared by most species, these birds are mostly scavengers and feed on carcasses of animals which died of old age, diseases or left by predators. Unique gut system and specialized diets (some consume predominantly bones while others feed on flesh and skin) have vultures play the role of Nature’s cleaners. They get rid of carcasses which can propagate diseases, being responsible of up to 70% of the african continent’s carrion. Or at least they did, since vulture populations have been crashing down over the last few decades. The numbers are striking : almost 70% population loss betwen 1970 and 2000, with some species now reaching up to 95% population loss across the whole continent.
But what is killing these birds? Poaching is a strong driver of vulture extinction, with many traditional doctors still using the scavengers’ parts as medicine, a technique debunked by scientists and health experts alike. Poisoning and active extermination are other strong contenders, with vultures being often victim of their rumored and erronated « bad reputation ». Habitat degradation, especially logging of nesting trees, has also proven particularly damaging to these species in need of specific breeding areas. The combination of all these factors have resulted in the drastic loss of vultures, loss which needs to be countered fast.
Protective measures, albeit rare, have shown results : preserving habitats and fighting clichés surrounding these birds are the best tools to preserve them over time. Changing the image people associate with vultures and undelining their unique role in ecosystems are the keys to ensure these birds’ survival. In a world more and more vulnerable to diseases and spreading zoonosises, we all need vultures to keep doing the dirty work.
