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India Today
25-04-2025
- Science
- India Today
No one loves a vulture: Conservationists are trying to change the notion
Conservationists in Africa are trying to save the endangered vultures, which are neglected because of their image. They are usually associated with death, and are among the least loved animals in the are the scavengers of the ecosystem. They help in saving ecosystem worth $1.8 billion a year in some parts of Southern Africa, according to the report released by BirdLife International are not up there on the pretty scale. And they are not popular. But we know they are very useful,' Fadzai Matsvimbo, an extinction prevention coordinator at BirdLife International told the Associated Press. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, six of the 11 vulture species found on the African continent are listed as endangered or critically endangered. And even some species have declined by 90%.The research focused on Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and revealed the role of vultures in cleaning up the ecosystems, reducing the chance of disease spreading and the presence of pests like rats and feral dogs, which has great benefits for communities. Vultures are the scavengers of the ecosystem. (Photo: Getty) advertisementThe anatomy of vultures – the strong acidic stomach - prevents them from contracting food poisoning from any in India over the last 30 years, there has been a drastic loss of vultures. Half a million people died from the spread of bacteria and infections in the absence of vultures last said vultures in Africa are also used as 'sentinels' by game rangers because they are often the first to spot a dead animal and can lead rangers to where poachers might be active. They have even proven useful in helping farmers locate dead or injured of vultures can die from a single poisoned carcass, as they feed on carrion – dead animals. Collisions with power lines in Africa are also one of the reasons for their death, apart from belief-based reasons.'Our work is to change the mindsets of people,' Wolter said. 'For them to see vultures and think, wow, that is amazing.'The researchers also mentioned the role played by moviemakers in depicting vultures. 'I love watching 'The Lion King,' but every time they do the vulture part, my heart breaks,' said Matsvimbo.'Vultures are never portrayed positively. I have a bone to chew with these moviemakers. Or should that be bone to pick?'Rather than stigmatising vultures, understanding their role in nature conservation can benefit all living organisms, including humans, Watch
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that
Vultures have an image crisis. Seen as ugly and associated with death, they are among the least loved animals in the world. But conservationists in Africa are trying to change that. Advertisement They have launched an effort to save endangered vultures by trying to put a dollar figure on their incredible value. A recent report by the BirdLife International conservation organisation has estimated that vultures are worth US$1.8 billion a year to certain ecosystems in southern Africa, which might surprise anyone not familiar with the clean-up, pest control and anti-poaching work performed by one of the most efficient scavengers on the planet. 'They are not up there on the pretty scale. And they are not popular. But we know they are very useful,' said Fadzai Matsvimbo, an extinction prevention coordinator at BirdLife International. A white-headed vulture at the Johannesburg zoo in South Africa. Vultures can help clean up ecosystems and reduce the chance of disease spreading, among other benefits. Photo: AFP The report comes at an important time for Africa's vultures; six of the 11 species found on the continent are listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which says vultures are highly threatened in many parts of the world. In Africa, some species have declined by nearly 90 per cent, according to Matsvimbo. Advertisement Conservationists hope the report will make authorities and the public more aware of the positive impact of vultures.
