© Andre Botha,
[email protected] Amazing Species: Hooded Vulture The Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus, is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. It occurs throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, but has experienced a rapid decline in population, especially in the western part of its range. In West and East Africa it is often associated with human settlements, but is also found in other habitats. In southern Africa it mostly occurs in savanna and riparian vegetation. Geographical range
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Key threats to the Hooded Vulture include secondary (non-target) poisoning and harvesting for traditional medicine and the bush-meat trade. Improved sanitation in human settlements may have reduced food availability and poachers are known to eliminate these birds where they wish to hide their illegal activities. This species is also susceptible to certain avian diseases contracted from feeding on discarded poultry carcasses. A Pan-African Vulture Conservation Strategy has been recently established which focuses on the monitoring and conservation of vultures in Africa. The strategy aims to create greater awareness of vulture species and the need to conserve them. It will also promote legal protection in all range states and eliminate the use of potentially lethal veterinary drugs and other chemicals that could impact on these birds. The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership.