Nigerian Conservation Foundation warns of vulture extinction threat

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has issued an urgent call for coordinated action to prevent the extinction of vulture species in Nigeria. The foundation warned that illegal killing, poisoning, and the trafficking of vulture parts are driving severe population declines.

Of the seven vulture species present in Nigeria, four—the Hooded, White-backed, Rüppell’s, and White-headed vultures—are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Hooded Vulture has seen an estimated 95 per cent decline since the early 2000s.

Nigeria has become a central hub for the regional illegal trade, with approximately 73 per cent of vulture carcasses traded across West Africa passing through Nigerian markets. The West African Vulture Conservation Action Plan (WAVCAP) identifies Nigeria and Benin as primary hubs for this cross-border trade, which is often driven by belief-based uses. NCF Director-General Dr. Joseph Onoja emphasized that the crisis threatens ecological balance and requires immediate intervention from governments, law enforcement, and local communities.