Necrosyrtes Research Articles

Roadside Reflection of Nigeria's Declining Vultures: A study across Five Contiguous States (Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, and Enugu)

Globally, vultures and other raptors are facing a critical population crisis, with forecasts suggesting that up to 40% of species may become extinct within the next 30 years. This alarming declining trend is particularly pronounced in Africa, where vulture populations have drastically declined, with many species experiencing severe reductions or even local extinctions. In Nigeria, this decline is especially severe, with historical records indicating once-abundant vulture populations now reduced to only a few remaining species. This study aimed to evaluate the current status of vultures and other raptors across five contiguous states in Nigeria: Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, and Enugu. The survey was conducted from January 28 to February 2, 2019, using an open Hillux traveling at 45 km/hour. Observations were made by two researchers from an opened truck, who recorded the number of raptors encountered and their locations at various times of the day. Data analysis was done using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) in R to assess species abundance and compare raptor abundance across the states. The results were visualised using bar charts. A total of 217 raptors were sighted, with Yellow-billed Kites (Milvus aegyptius) being the most numerous, followed by Common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus). Vultures were significantly less abundant, with only three Palm-nut Vultures (Gypohierax angolensis) and two Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) recorded. This stark contrast highlights the severe decline in vulture populations in Nigeria, underlining the urgent need for conservation actions. The findings emphasise the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect vultures and other raptors. Recommendations include, increasing public awareness, implementing protective legislation, and improving habitat management. Engaging local communities and enforcing laws against illegal hunting and trade in avian fauna are essential for preserving Nigeria’s raptor populations and preventing further declines.

High conservation importance of range-edge populations of Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus)

Critically endangered Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus Temminck, 1823), like many vulture species globally, are experiencing rapid population declines due to anthropogenic factors such as poisonings, human persecution, trading for belief-based use, and habitat loss/degradation. The Hooded Vulture is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa. Although it is considered one of the most abundant vultures in West Africa, this vulture species is less common in East and southern Africa, with the population at the southern-most edge of the distribution (in South Africa and Eswatini) estimated at only 100–200 mature individuals. The distribution of Hooded Vultures has contracted dramatically in southern Africa, with breeding populations largely confined to protected areas such as the Greater Kruger National Park. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of the southern African range-edge population and assess if the recent contraction in the distribution has resulted in the population experiencing a genetic bottleneck. Sixteen microsatellite loci were amplified for samples collected along the Olifants River in the Greater Kruger National Park (n = 30). The genetic diversity in the South African population was compared to samples (n = 30) collected in Ghana, where Hooded Vultures are more abundant. Contrary to expectations, the South African peripheral Hooded Vulture population showed higher levels of heterozygosity (HO = 0.495) than the Ghanaian population (HO = 0.315). Neither population showed signs of recent bottleneck events when tested using demographic modelling and Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC). However, both populations showed high levels of inbreeding and relatedness. Our results suggest that despite being a small peripheral population, the South African Hooded Vulture population showed a similar level of genetic diversity as individuals sampled from a core population within the species distribution (in Ghana). This study supports the need for Hooded Vulture conservation efforts in the southern African region and highlights the evolutionary importance of range-edge populations.

Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus are at risk of extinction in Benin: A result of poaching for belief-based use and decreasing food availability.

In recent years, Hooded Vulture populations in West Africa have decreased substantially. However, in some areas within this region, the species is still relatively abundant. To find out more about the situation in West Africa, we assessed the status of Hooded Vultures in Benin, one of the countries where their status is not well known. We conducted road counts on paved and unpaved roads and along small trails over a total of 1451 km. We also conducted interviews with local abattoir watchmen, veterinarians, butchers and foresters to examine potential threats to this species. A total of 52 Hooded Vultures were counted mostly in the departments of Atacora (32) but also in Alibori (10) and Borgou (10). The relative abundance was four Hooded Vultures per 100 km, highlighting the near extirpation of this bird from Benin. A total of 49 interviews revealed that poaching for belief-based use (through shooting and traps) and decreasing food availability remain the most important threats for Hooded Vultures in northern Benin. If these threats are not mitigated, we predict the extirpation of the Hooded Vulture outside protected areas in Benin within the next two decades, possibly even sooner. Conservation measures, including awareness campaigns, and the improvement and enforcement of environmental legislation, must be urgently implemented to improve the protection of this Critically Endangered vulture species.

Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus are still declining in West Africa: a nearly 50-year assessment study (1969–2019)

Large-scale declines in vulture populations have been recorded in West Africa. One concern is that the current trend in Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus populations in West Africa is poorly known. To help fill this knowledge gap, we conducted nationwide road counts in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, using (where possible) the same routes and methods as counts conducted in 1969–1973 and 2003–2004 (46–50 years later). Use of exactly the same routes was unfortunately possible only in Burkina Faso as a result of the security situation in sub-Saharan West Africa at the time of this study. Our results reveal that Burkina Faso remains a stronghold for Hooded Vultures with a mean abundance of 62 individuals per 100 km, reaching a peak of 217 per 100 km in the highest abundance areas. A comparison between early and recent studies shows that populations of Hooded Vulture are still declining in the West African sub-region. In Burkina Faso, the number of Hooded Vultures per 100 km decreased from 122 to 75 (a decline of 38%) over the last five decades. In the West African sub-region, under both ‘best-case’ and ‘worst-case’ scenarios, Hooded Vultures seem to have declined by 58% to 65% between the 1970s and 2019. The main causes of this population decline in West Africa are unintentional poisoning, decreasing food availability, and the trade in vulture body parts for Traditional Medicine. Conservation actions for Hooded Vultures in West Africa could include the implementation of supplementary feeding sites (also known as ‘vulture restaurants’) and decreasing the demand for vulture body parts (for use in Traditional Medicine and mystical practices) by offering relevant alternatives such as plants and their derivatives.

Cultural attitudes and human pressure towards vultures around the Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

BackgroundPopulations of vultures in Africa have experienced a rapid decline over recent decades, with some species suffering losses of more than 90%. Various forms of human pressures have been identified as the causes of this decline. However, very little is known about the complex interaction between cultural practises, traditional medicine and the vultures’ natural environment. The purpose of this study was to analyse human pressures on vultures in relation with cultural attitudes such as their demand for magico-traditional medicine in Côte d’Ivoire, around the Comoé National Park (CNP), one of the last major refuges of these organisms in West Africa.MethodsEleven surrounding villages were visited to carry out ethno-ornithology surveys. One hundred and ten people were interviewed, at a rate of ten people per village, using a semi-structured questionnaire and informal discussions.ResultsThe findings showed that vultures are still being seen both in and around the CNP. The most common species indicated to be observed and indicated by the interviewees were the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and the White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis). Nevertheless, 98.2% of the interviewees indicated having observed a decrease in the abundance of vultures over the last few years in the study area, as well as a decline in the number of sightings of these organisms. Interviewees attributed this scarcity of vultures to (1) the limited availability of food resources, (2) pesticide and tobacco poisoning, (3) hunting, (4) rapid population growth, (5) annual bushfires and (6) habitat loss. The uses of the vulture or parts of vultures by the populations surrounding the CNP (traditional medicine, mystic practises, consumption as food, cultural heritage) were also highlighted as real threats to these organisms. And the vulture parts commonly used in this area are: feathers, legs, head, heart, stomach, brain and excrement. The Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) appears to be the most sought-after species and the most widely used for these practises in the study area.ConclusionAppropriate conservation and communication initiatives are required to ensure the survival of these raptors, crucial for ecosystem well-being, while also ensuring a respect of cultural practises.

Bird diversity in a Sahelian ecosystem under restoration: A study in the great Grenn wall extension area of Senegal

In this study, we survey the avian biodiversity in Koyli Alpha, Senegal, located in the extension area of the Great Green Wall (GGW) project in Senegal to restore the degraded ecosystems by the long years of drought during the 1970s in addition to anthropogenic pressures. Data are collected during a period of 52 days between July 2019 and Jun 2021 in Koyli Alpha and their surroundings, we identified the presence of avian species through daytime focal observations using transects, fixed points and trapping cameras. Thus, we recorded the presence of 198 total bird species. Species composed of 143 landbirds and 55 waterbirds distributed in 22 orders and 59 families. The most common were granivorous birds such as the Golgen sparrow (Passer luteus) and the Red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea). Among these inventoried species, three are categorized as critically endangered species (CR) (IUCN Redlist). They are the Rüppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli), the White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) and the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus). Additionally, the Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is categorized as endangered (EN), and the Great grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis), the Abyssinian ground hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) and the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) are categorized as vulnerable species (VN). Furthermore, 37% of observed birds are palearctic migratory species.

Predicting the impact of climate change on the potential distribution of a critically endangered avian scavenger, Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus, in Ghana

Environmental factors, such as climate change and anthropogenic activities, constitute the principal drivers behind the global decline of avian scavengers. In this context, understanding and predicting the impact of environmental factors on species distribution at different geographic scales is essential for identifying priority areas with significant suitable habitats for conservation. Using ensemble Species Distribution Modelling (eSDM) with georeferenced occurrence records from Ghana, this study shows that area of suitable habitats for the critically endangered Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) will decline under specific future climate scenarios (2060, 2080, and 2100). In particular, declines will be much higher and more rapid under fossil-fuelled development (SSP585) than in the middle of the road (SSP245) and sustainable (SSP126) climate scenario pathways, which will experience a relative increase in suitable habitats. Land use (specifically, urban areas/sparse vegetation) and precipitation in the wettest month (bio13) are the most important contributors to Hooded Vulture spatial distribution. eSDM predictions suggest that suitable habitats will contract in the South and shift up North under future climate scenarios. Further, a substantial proportion of suitable habitats (approximately 78%) lie outside the country’s protected area network, with the few represented expected to decline by the turn of the century. The approach of this study and the results appear valuable for identifying, monitoring, and intensifying conservation planning efforts in priority areas by scientists and decision-makers toward the protection of the threatened Hooded Vulture in Ghana.

Abundance and Breeding Ecology of Critically Endangered Vultures in Mole National Park, Ghana

ABSTRACT Vultures are among the most threatened species in Africa, with several critically endangered species surviving mainly or only in protected areas. West African vulture declines are correlated with steep losses of natural habitat and mammalian wildlife. Major factors driving vulture extirpations include wildlife trade for traditional medicine, belief-based rituals, and bushmeat. Current data on vulture abundance and breeding ecology are crucial for conservation but lacking in many countries, including Ghana. Between 2020 and 2022, we conducted 761 km of surveys for critically endangered vultures in Mole National Park (Mole NP), a 4840 km2 protected savanna in northern Ghana. Using our count data, we estimated populations of 29–36 Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus), 25–73 White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus), and 3–4 White-headed Vultures (Trigonoceps occipitalis) in the southern region of Mole NP. We also documented 17 occupied vulture nests, including six Hooded Vulture nests, 10 White-backed Vulture nests, and one White-headed Vulture nest. Our findings include the first nest records for Hooded Vultures in Mole NP, the first nest description of White-backed Vultures in Ghana, and the first nest records for White-headed Vultures in Ghana, confirming the importance of Mole NP for conserving critically endangered vultures. Reducing poaching, preventing the killing of vultures for wildlife trade, and protecting vulture habitat and food resources will be paramount to the survival of critically endangered vultures in Ghana and West Africa.

More resourceful scavenging by opportunistic Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in coastal Gambia with photographic proof of tongue use when foraging for live food and blood.

We report on a combination of new and infrequently documented feeding behaviours for the Critically Endangered and opportunistic Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus. Observations were recorded in the Western Region of coastal Gambia from 2015 to 2020, where Hooded Vultures are living in high densities. We provide photographs and video footage to demonstrate the use of the grooved tongue for consuming live food items and when drinking blood. Attraction of large groups of Hooded Vultures to freshwater is also described.

High prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 type extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Gambian hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus): A threatened species with substantial human interaction.

One hundred fecal samples from hooded vultures in the Gambia (Banjul area) were investigated for the presence of bacteria with extended-spectrum cephalosporin- (ESBL/AmpC), carbapenemases, and colistin resistance. No Enterobacteriales carrying carbapenemases or resistance against colistin were detected. Fifty-four ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and five ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were identified in 52 of the samples, of which 52 E. coli and 4 K. pneumoniae yielded passed sequencing results. Fifty of the E. coli had ESBL phenotype and genotype harboring blaCTX-M genes, of which 88.5% (n = 46) were the blaCTX-M-15 gene, commonly found on the African continent. Furthermore, the genetic context around blaCTX-M-15 was similar between isolates, being colocalized with ISKpn19. In contrast, cgMLST analysis of the E. coli harboring ESBL genes revealed a genetic distribution over a large fraction of the currently known existing E. coli populations in the Gambia. Hooded vultures in the Gambia thus have a high ESBL E. coli-prevalence (>50%) with low diversity regarding key resistance genes. Furthermore, given the urban presence and frequent interactions between hooded vultures and humans, data from this study implies hooded vultures as potential vectors contributing to the further dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes.

Perception of Local Population of Manda National Park (Chad) on use of Vultures and the Impact of their Activities on the Conservation of Species

Purpose: This study aimed at analysing the perceptions of the local population and the impact of their activities on the conservation of vultures.
 Methodology: This study was conducted at the periphery of Manda National Park (MNP) in the province of Moyen-Chari, in southern Chad. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered in 24 villages and involving 300 people belonging to 7 different ethnic groups (Sara, Gouleye, Mbaye, Ndaye, Ngambaye, Peul and Sarakaba). A stratified random sampling was carried out for this purpose. Chi-square test was used to compare the different levels of local population perception.
 Findings: This study found that six (6) species of vultures were encountered in the study area, all belonging to the family Accipitridae, Order Accipitriformes with a predominance of Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus (52.33%). Agricultural (70.32%), logging (24.4%) and pastoral (19.32%) practices were mainly prevalent in the local populations. The main threats to vulture populations in the study area include: food scarcity (95%), deforestation (57.33%), poaching (9.33%), use of vultures in the tradition (fetishes, cultural events) (7.66%) and the consumption of vultures (7%).
 Contribution to theory and practice: This study made it possible to show the attachment of the population bordering the MNP to certain species of vultures in particular the white-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis and N. monachus of the study area through the totem, the myths and other clan or religious prohibitions; a factor that contributes to good human-bird cohabitation. This study also made it possible to assess the impact of human activities on vultures and offers opportunities to improve vulture conservation methods by involving local populations in conservation plans. The local populations of the PNM should be sensitized by the authorities in charge of wildlife management, on the importance of vultures in cleaning the environment, essential for health, and on the ecological importance of this taxon.

Road counts reveal The Gambia’s West Coast region still has the densest population of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Africa

Road surveys are a useful tool for comparing vulture population trends. Here we present data from road surveys to count Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in The Gambia in 2017 and 2021. In the first nationwide road survey in November 2017 (during this species’ breeding period), we counted 7.3 Hooded Vultures per km. In The Gambia’s West Coast, we counted 33.3 Hooded Vultures per km in November 2017 (during this species’ breeding period) and 27.4 Hooded Vultures per km in May 2021 (during the non-breeding period). In the rest of the country (i.e. in The Gambia’s North Bank, Central, Upper and Lower River regions), we counted 3.3 Hooded Vultures per km in November 2017 and 2.1 Hooded Vultures per km in November 2021, which may represent cause for concern. These figures for The Gambia’s West Coast region far exceed the results of road surveys conducted in the same area in 2005, 2013, and 2015. The number of Hooded Vultures recorded per km in the West Coast region increased from 2005 to 2017, but dipped slightly into May 2021, when we would have expected to see an increase, as the 2021 survey was carried out in the non-breeding period. In the non-breeding period vultures would not be confined to nests and populations should be at their highest, due to recently fledged juveniles entering the population. Overall, the densities of Hooded Vultures counted in The Gambia from 2005 to 2021 indicate that population densities are higher in The Gambia than in any other country where road surveys have taken place. The densities were orders of magnitude higher than those in eastern and southern Africa. However, given the decline in numbers between 2017 and 2021, we should not be complacent about the stability of this population.

Local perceptions and sociocultural value of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Hooded Vultures have suffered from dramatic population declines in recent decades owing to anthropogenic pressures. To properly address this threat, the sociocultural perspectives towards this species should be considered. We examined peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs on Hooded Vulture's sociocultural values in Burkina Faso through face to face surveys at 20 sites spread across the country. A total of 900 interviews (with 600 householders and 300 butchers) revealed valuable knowledge and an overall positive perception of Hooded Vultures. More than 72% (n = 653) of interviewees (mostly Mossi, Bissa and Gourmatche ethnic groups) regarded Hooded Vultures as important, venerated and sacred birds, and we received no reports of Hooded Vultures attacking livestock-which is all beneficial to their conservation. Conversely, a minority of interviewees (12%, n = 108) believed that Hooded Vultures are harmful, but the reasons provided for this view were insubstantial. Nevertheless, the negative views towards Hooded Vultures should be urgently examined. Furthermore, the vast majority of respondents (84%, n = 753) viewed Hooded Vulture populations as having decreased and the main reasons provided were decreasing food availability, intentional killing using poisoned baits for beliefmbased use, habitat loss or degradation, and unintentional poisoning. Interestingly, most respondents (84%, n = 760) were acutely aware of the imminence of the Hooded Vulture's possible extinction and are willing to take conservation measures, suggesting both support and eventual success for conservation actions in this area. The key actions suggested by local communities are valuable for vulture conservation and include severely punishing poachers, supplying safe food for Hooded Vultures, preserving and restoring habitat, and raising awareness of Hooded Vulture conservation.

Road-killed frogs add another item to the food list of the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus in The Gambia.

No abstract.

Only one vulture was detected during transect surveys in northern Nigeria.

Vulture and raptor populations have declined across West Africa during recent decades due to numerous and widespread anthropogenic threats. To estimate encounter rates of vultures and raptors in northern Nigeria, we conducted a total of 248 km driven transects on 195 km and 53 km of paved and unpaved roads, respectively. We also conducted walked surveys beneath 79 km of power transmission lines to search for dead vultures and raptors; and visited 12 abattoirs, 11 slaughterhouses, and 12 dumpsites to assess the occurrence of vultures and raptors. All fieldwork was done between October and December 2018. Overall, 357 individuals of 23 species were detected, most of which were recorded at low encounter rates. Only one Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus was recorded across all surveys, and no other vulture species were seen. Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius, Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis, and Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus had the highest encounter rates of 0.351, 0.262, and 0.189 individuals km-1, respectively. In contrast, the largest raptor species, Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus, Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus, Beaudouin's Snake-eagle, and Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus had the lowest encounter rate of 0.004 individuals km-1 (one individual each). No dead vultures or raptors were found during the walked surveys beneath power lines. Although historical data about vulture and raptor distribution and abundance in northern Nigeria are limited, our results show an apparent absence of vultures from the wider landscape and a low density of raptors. Support among local stakeholders for the conservation of vultures and raptors should be encouraged through wider dissemination of information about the importance of these birds, as well as stronger deterrents again illegal killing and trade.

An ethogram for the nesting and breeding behaviour of the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus

Most vulture species worldwide are in decline and of conservation concern. Despite the growing attention to vultures, relatively few studies have focused on their breeding behaviour. Understanding all aspects of a species’ behaviour and its behavioural needs could help to inform conservation efforts. Behavioural studies can be enhanced with the use of an ethogram that clearly defines and describes distinct behaviours. We present the first ethogram detailing the nesting and breeding behaviours of the Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus, compiled from over 400 000 nest camera photographs and from hours of direct personal observations at nests in north-eastern South Africa. We describe 28 behaviours that Hooded Vultures exhibited in and around their nests, and these fell into five discrete categories: Movement, Resting, Body Care, Social, and Nesting. We also present 34 camera trap images depicting behaviours from within each category, and discuss the uses and limitations of behaviour-recording technologies. Many of these behavioural elements may be common across vulture species, and so this ethogram may be a useful starting point for other researchers studying vultures globally.

Declines in scavenging by endangered vultures in the Horn of Africa

AbstractScavenging is an important ecological process. By quickly locating and consuming carrion, vertebrate scavengers cycle nutrients, stabilize food webs, and may help mitigate disease transmission to humans. Across Africa, many scavengers feed at abattoirs (i.e. slaughterhouses), thereby aiding in waste removal. Little information exists on the scavenger community composition and dynamics at abattoirs, and, to our knowledge, the carrion removal that scavengers provide at these sites has never been quantified. We studied vertebrate scavenger ecology at 6 abattoirs in Ethiopia with time‐lapse photography and in‐person surveys from 2014–2019. Specifically, we investigated daily, seasonal, and inter‐annual patterns in use of abattoirs by vertebrate scavengers and estimated carrion consumption rates. We demonstrated the importance of abattoirs for supporting a large number and diversity of scavenger species, including 3 critically endangered, 2 endangered, 1 vulnerable, and 2 regionally endemic bird species. At the start of the study, vultures contributed 57% of carrion removal provided by vertebrate scavengers. Detections of critically endangered Rüppell's (Gyps rueppelli) and white‐backed (G. africanus) vultures declined by 73% and critically endangered hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) declined by 15% over the study period. Simultaneously, the detections of dogs more than doubled. Using estimates of species‐specific carrion consumption rates from the literature, coupled with changes in scavenger detections in our study, we estimated a 12% (54 kg/day) reduction in carrion consumption, or nearly 20,000 kg carrion less consumed per year by the end of the study at these 6 abattoirs. Our results indicate that ongoing vulture declines across Africa could significantly reduce carrion removal. We recommend that improving fencing around abattoir facilities could help restrict access by feral dogs, increase foraging by vultures, and, therefore, increase overall carrion removal rates.

Resource constancy and diurnal population variances drive coexistence among avian scavengers at urban slaughterhouses in Nsukka region, Nigeria

AbstractSpecies that share dietary resources can segregate into different spaces at time scales. It has, however, been proposed that species have to co‐evolve to achieve such segregation; otherwise, competition might result. We explored the strategies that support the coexistence among avian scavengers at urban slaughterhouses in Nsukka. A total of 41 field observations were conducted across five slaughterhouses at two diurnal time scales, and the avian scavengers utilising the butchery wastes therein were estimated using the point‐count method. In addition, interaction among the species was monitored. Hooded vultures [Necrosyrtes monachus (Temminck, 1823)] and pied crows [Corvus albus (Müller, 1776)] were common at the slaughterhouses with the abundance of the latter being significantly higher than the former. The two species relatively exhibit different active feeding times although not exclusively amidst the regular available resources. The two species coexist, and no antagonistic behaviour was recorded. Generalised linear mixed models showed that the number of animals slaughtered on daily basis and percentage vegetation cover positively influenced abundance of hooded vulture and vice versa for pied crow. Our results highlight that intraguild species can coexist if resources are in constant supply and the species involved maintain some sort of inverse diurnal population variance at the foraging sites.

Priority areas for vulture conservation in the Horn of Africa largely fall outside the protected area network

SummaryVulture populations are in severe decline across Africa and prioritization of geographic areas for their conservation is urgently needed. To do so, we compiled three independent datasets on vulture occurrence from road-surveys, GPS-tracking, and citizen science (eBird), and used maximum entropy to build ensemble species distribution models (SDMs). We then identified spatial vulture conservation priorities in Ethiopia, a stronghold for vultures in Africa, while accounting for uncertainty in our predictions. We were able to build robust distribution models for five vulture species across the entirety of Ethiopia, including three Critically Endangered, one Endangered, and one Near Threatened species. We show that priorities occur in the highlands of Ethiopia, which provide particularly important habitat for BeardedGypaetus barbatus, HoodedNecrosyrtes monachus, Rüppell’sGyps rüppelliand White-backedGyps africanusVultures, as well as the lowlands of north-eastern Ethiopia, which are particularly valuable for the Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterus. One-third of the core distribution of the Egyptian Vulture was protected, followed by the White-backed Vulture at one-sixth, and all other species at one-tenth. Overall, only about one-fifth of vulture priority areas were protected. Given that there is limited protection of priority areas and that vultures range widely, we argue that measures of broad spatial and legislative scope will be necessary to address drivers of vulture declines, including poisoning, energy infrastructure, and climate change, while considering the local social context and aiding sustainable development.

Abundance and diurnal activity patterns of hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus Temminck,) in Addis Ababa abattoirs enterprise, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is an African endemic scavenger listed as Critically Endangered species. The population is declining across its range and there is threat of significant decline in population and distribution in Ethiopia. Little efforts have been made to properly document the status of vulture population and their diurnal activity patterns in the country for ensuring long term conservation measures. A study was conducted in Addis Ababa Abattoirs enterprise, Ethiopia from November 2019 to January 2020 to investigate the abundance and diurnal activity patterns of hooded vultures. The abundance of these vultures was estimated by direct counts method at their feeding sites and scan sampling was employed to study the diurnal activity patterns of hooded vultures from dawn to dusk. Hooded vulture mean abundance was 216±40 at the abattoir. Their diurnal activity pattern showed that they were observed feeding, resting (perching, watching and basking), preening, roosting and others activities such as walking, drinking, chasing and flying. They spent 37.73% of their time in resting followed by others (including walking, drinking, chasing and flying) (27.73%). The major threat recorded for theses vultures in the abattoir includes shortage of food, human disturbances, negative attitudes and lack of awareness on the importance of the species. Further ecological studies and impacts of human activities on Addis Ababa Abattoirs enterprise should be conducted for the conservation of hooded vulture and other conspecifics in the area.