Vultures are disappearing in Nigeria - but the 'Vulture King' is fighting to reverse the trend

What the report says

BBC World News reports that vultures are declining sharply across Nigeria and much of West Africa, driven by hunting, poisoning, habitat loss and the use of birds and body parts in ritual and traditional medicine. Conservationists say the loss matters because vultures rapidly remove carcasses and help limit the spread of dangerous diseases. The report says seven African vulture species are now classed as globally endangered or critically endangered, and a BirdLife International report cited in the article says populations have fallen by 80% to 97% over the past 50 years.

One exception highlighted by the BBC is Awka-Etiti in south-eastern Nigeria, where a sacred forest around a shrine still attracts vultures. A local resident, Chukwuemeka Igwe, nicknamed the “Vulture King” for his conservation work, has spent years persuading residents and visitors not to harm the birds. Working with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, he has helped mobilise community leaders, volunteers and security teams, while local bylaws have been introduced to support protection.

The BBC says the effort has produced some early gains: volunteers have recorded more than 160 vultures in the area, up from about 20 in 2017. Officials from Nigeria’s customs service said the country is trying to curb illegal wildlife trafficking, but acknowledged that enforcement alone will not solve the problem without public education and community support. The article frames Awka-Etiti as a rare example of local traditions and conservation efforts aligning to protect a threatened species.