Nigeria's Vulture Population Declines 95% Amid Illegal Trade

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has reported a drastic decline of 95% in Nigeria's vulture population, primarily due to illegal killing, poisoning, and trafficking of their body parts. This warning coincides with International Vulture Awareness Day 2026.

The NCF identified Nigeria as a significant hub for the illegal trade in vulture parts, with four out of seven vulture species in the country classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus, has experienced the most severe decline since the early 2000s.

Dr. Joseph Onoja, NCF Director General, emphasized the need for immediate government intervention, stating that the illegal trade poses a threat to ecological balance. The West African Vulture Conservation Action Plan (WAVCAP) highlights Nigeria and Benin as key areas for cross-border vulture trading.

The NCF urged the Federal Government to enhance wildlife protection laws, increase market surveillance, and establish Vulture Safe Zones to combat this crisis.