Illegal Trade Threatens Nigeria’s Vultures as Population Falls 95%, Says NCF

Nigeria has become a major hub in the illegal West African trade in vulture parts, while the country’s Hooded Vulture population has fallen by an estimated 95% since the early 2000s, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation has warned.

Marking International Vulture Awareness Day 2026, the foundation called for urgent, coordinated action to protect the country’s remaining vultures. Four of the seven species found in Nigeria are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List: the Hooded Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Rüppell’s Vulture and White-headed Vulture.

Research cited by the NCF identifies Nigeria as a major transit and trading centre for vulture carcasses in West Africa. An estimated 73% of carcasses traded across the region pass through Nigerian markets. The West African Vulture Conservation Action Plan also names Nigeria and Benin as key hubs for cross-border trade, while reporting vulture killings for belief-based use across the 16 countries covered by the plan.

“

The crisis facing vultures is not happening somewhere far away. Nigeria is at the centre of this regional conservation challenge, including the illegal trade in vulture parts.

NCF Director General Dr. Joseph Onoja said the crisis had moved beyond conservation. “The crisis facing vultures is not happening somewhere far away. Nigeria is at the centre of this regional conservation challenge, including the illegal trade in vulture parts,” he said. “We cannot continue to lose these birds to poisoning, illegal killing and trafficking and expect our ecosystems to remain healthy.”

The foundation urged the Federal Government to strengthen enforcement of wildlife protection laws, increase surveillance of implicated markets and fully implement the regional action plan. It also called for Vulture Safe Zones, protection for feeding and breeding grounds, and measures to prevent poisoning. The NCF said efforts must address the entire trade chain, including population monitoring, demand reduction, enforcement and community education, with stronger cooperation involving Niger, Benin and Cameroon. It said it has begun working with traditional medicine practitioners on awareness and plant-based alternatives, while also carrying out satellite tagging, population surveys and community engagement.

“

We cannot continue to lose these birds to poisoning, illegal killing and trafficking and expect our ecosystems to remain healthy.