Global S&T Development Trend Analysis Platform of Resources and Environment
| DOI | 10.1126/science.abd1862 |
| Deliberate poisoning of Africa's vultures | |
| Mohamed Henriques; Ralph Buij; Hamilton Monteiro; Joãozinho Sá; Francisco Wambar; José Pedro Tavares; Andre Botha; Geoffroy Citegetse; Miguel Lecoq; Paulo Catry; Darcy Ogada | |
| 2020-10-16 | |
| 发表期刊 | Science
 |
| 出版年 | 2020 |
| 英文摘要 | Between September 2019 and March 2020, more than 2000 Critically Endangered ([ 1 ][1]) hooded vultures ( Necrosyrtes monachus ) were killed across eastern Guinea-Bissau. Investigations revealed that the vultures were intentionally poisoned to collect their heads for belief-based use. Locals sighted bait placed where vultures died and reported a demand for vulture heads in Senegal ([ 2 ][2], [ 3 ][3]). Toxicological analysis of carcasses confirmed poisoning with methiocarb ([ 3 ][3]), a carbamate pesticide banned in Europe ([ 4 ][4]) but still used in Guinea-Bissau. If unchecked, these poisonings are likely to continue, leading to further declines in the population of this imperiled species.
Old World vultures are among the most threatened groups of birds worldwide ([ 5 ][5]). In Africa, the illicit trade in vulture parts accounts for 29% of reported vulture deaths ([ 6 ][6]). In West Africa, up to 61 and 70% (inside and outside parks, respectively) of vultures disappeared in just 30 years ([ 7 ][7]). Hundreds of hooded vultures are traded yearly for belief-based use, and their heads are considered good luck charms ([ 8 ][8]). Prices are rising as they become more rare ([ 8 ][8], [ 9 ][9]). Guinea-Bissau is home to about 22% of the world's 197,000 hooded vultures ([ 10 ][10], [ 11 ][11]).
This blow to vulture conservation requires urgent action. Local stakeholders need to be made aware of the loss of critical ecosystem functions, such as waste removal and the likely control of disease ([ 5 ][5], [ 12 ][12]). African governments should raise awareness about existing anti-poisoning legislation among residents, authorities, and police and invest the human and financial resources required to effectively enforce these laws. In addition, the governments should curb cross-border and local trade. International partners must help West African countries develop and implement national action plans to conserve vultures and avoid their looming extinction.
1. [↵][13]BirdLife International, “ Necrosyrtes monachus (amended version of 2017 assessment)” (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2017).
2. [↵][14]1. L. Kihumba
, “Investigating the mystery behind Guinea-Bissau's mass vulture deaths” (BirdLife International, 2020).
3. [↵][15]“Lethal poisoning of 2000+ Critically Endangered vultures in Guinea-Bissau—Update on the toxicology results and criminal investigation” (Vulture Conservation Foundation, 2020).
4. [↵][16]Regulation (EU) 2019/1606 (2019); |
| 领域 | 气候变化 ; 资源环境 |
| URL | 查看原文 |
| 引用统计 | |
| 文献类型 | 期刊论文 |
| 条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/299322 |
| 专题 | 气候变化 资源环境科学 |
| 推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | Mohamed Henriques,Ralph Buij,Hamilton Monteiro,et al. Deliberate poisoning of Africa's vultures[J]. Science,2020. |
| APA | Mohamed Henriques.,Ralph Buij.,Hamilton Monteiro.,Joãozinho Sá.,Francisco Wambar.,...&Darcy Ogada.(2020).Deliberate poisoning of Africa's vultures.Science. |
| MLA | Mohamed Henriques,et al."Deliberate poisoning of Africa's vultures".Science (2020). |
| 条目包含的文件 | 条目无相关文件。 | |||||
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