West African vulture species are among the most threatened groups of migratory birds in the world, with each species currently classified as either Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The vultures’ decline is linked strongly to wildlife trade: many are killed so that their parts can be sold in markets and used for traditional medicines while many others are killed to prevent detection of illegal elephant and rhino poaching activities.
Born Free USA worked with several West and Central African nations to strengthen protection for these species and we are proud to say that the meeting unanimously approved launching a CITES process to strengthen their protection, with strong support expressed by Mali, Benin, Nigeria, Canada, Ivory Coast, the European Union, and the United States.