More than 100 vultures poisoned in Mozambique

In another mass poisoning event, more than 100 vultures were killed by elephant poachers in Mozambique on 25 February.

Although horrific and entirely unnecessary, such mass poisonings are becoming more and more frequent in sub-Saharan Africa (see, for example, here and here), with the impacts devastating local ecosystems, as well as decimating vulture populations. Africa’s vultures are in steep decline, with several species now classified as Critically Endangered.

The latest slaughter involved a total of 121 poisoned vultures. A small silver lining was that 18 were recovered still alive and are now undergoing treatment for their ordeal. The rapid action taken by a poison response team neutralised the poisoned carcass and saved many of the hundreds of vultures, plus other scavenging animals, seen in the area from a painful death.

A ranger lays out the bodies of the victims in this latest mass poisoning event in sub-Saharan Africa (Hawk Conservancy Trust).

The killing of wildlife by poisoning is very difficult to prevent, but a fast response to such events limits their impact. Research led by the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Head of Conservation and Research, Dr Campbell Murn, has demonstrated that quick action by poison response teams will significantly reduce deaths and minimise the loss of wildlife and contamination of the environment. Working in partnership, the Hawk Conservancy Trust, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the University of Reading deliver a training programme on the effective neutralisation of poisoning events and also provide poison response kits to field personnel in southern Africa.

Hawk Conservancy Trust has identified key areas and poisoning hot-spots where urgent work is needed to enable stakeholders to adequately plan for and manage incidents when they occur. Vultures are rapidly disappearing across Africa, and with them go the important and highly efficient ecosystem services they provide. Without scavengers, carcasses are left to rot and potential for disease increases for both humans and wildlife.

The effects of poisoning incidents on wildlife are catastrophic. Just one incident can wipe out hundreds of animals, including lions, jackals, hyenas and hundreds of vultures. More than 2,500 vultures have been killed in this way in southern Africa since 2011. Research, led by the Hawk Conservancy Trust, has shown that this level of impact is unsustainable and will lead to vulture populations becoming extinct within decades. The most significant underlying issue is illegal elephant poaching, and as long as this practice continues, vultures are at risk.

Elephants already have a huge support network, which is having a positive impact on their conservation, but the vultures cannot wait for the underlying issue to be resolved – immediate action is needed. Poison response teams are necessary to help vultures now, because without effective intervention when poisoning occurs, they will become extinct.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust’s ability to supply the training and kits needed across this region is limited by its resources and so the organisation is asking for your support to expand these vital skills and equipment into the key areas. To find out more about Poison Response Action and to make a donation to the cause, please visit www.hawk-conservancy.org/prk.