International Vulture Awareness Day

Vultures are among nature’s most effective cleaners, safeguarding ecosystems and people by halting the spread of disease and recycling vital nutrients. Yet across Nigeria, these irreplaceable birds are vanishing at an alarming rate.

📊 Recent insights from the Nigeria Bird Atlas Project (2015-2025) paint a stark picture. Of the seven vulture species once widespread in Nigeria, most are now barely holding on:

• Rüppell’s Vulture and White-headed Vulture (both Critically Endangered) have only a handful of records in the last decade, with over 90% of their former range now classed as “possibly extinct” according to range maps from IUCN and BirdLife International.

• Egyptian Vulture has been seen only twice in recent years, while the Lappet-faced Vulture is presumed to be locally extirpated from the country.

• White-backed Vulture went unrecorded for more than ten years until one was tragically reported killed in Yobe State earlier this year (March 2025).

• Even the once-common Palm-nut Vulture (Least Concern) and Hooded Vulture (Critically Endagered) are in sharp decline—only a single individual of the Hooded Vulture was found during a survey across northern Nigeria.

⚠️ These declines are driven by poisoning, habitat loss, belief-based use, and the illegal trade in vulture parts. Without urgent action, vultures may vanish entirely from Nigeria’s skies.

Why does this matter? Without vultures, carcasses are left to rot, spreading disease to humans, livestock, and wildlife. These birds are vital for healthy ecosystems, nutrient recycling, and even reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Protecting vultures is about more than saving birds—it is about protecting human health, food security, and the balance of nature. On this Vulture Awareness Day, let us recognize their value and commit to ensuring they remain part of Nigeria’s future.

👉 Protect vultures. Protect nature. Protect ourselves.

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