40 vultures poisoned in Tanzania

24/05/2010 11:57:33 Vultures targeted across Africa
May 2010. In yet another dire poisoning incident, this time in Africa, 40 vultures have been killed in The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Scientists in Tanzania report that this is the 3rd known incident in the Selous, and there were at least another two in Ruaha National Park in the past 2 years as well as one in Maswa. Worryingly, the Selous also contains a thriving population of wild dogs, estimated to be as much as 30% of the existing population. A major poisoning incident could easily wipe out a large pack if they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, pesticides containing carbofuran are being used to wipe out vultures; in a single poisoning incident tens of vultures can be killed. Given that vultures are late maturing animals that lay only 2 eggs every 4 years, the impact can be catastrophic to local populations.

Botswana - Vultures targeted by poachers
In Botswana vultures are targeted by poachers who want to get rid of them because they attract the authorities to their kills. Farmers also lace meat to target hyenas and this often results in vulture kills as well. So it is no surprise that researchers warn that the vulture is an endangered species and may be extinct in the next half century unless governments make efforts to save it.

South Africa - Vultures targeted for traditional healers
In South Africa Tim Snow of the Endangered Wildlife Trust says that Temik, a carbamate based pesticide, is used for targeting vultures and leopards for Muti - traditional healers. It is believed that those who consume the brain of a vulture will gain its eyesight and be able to see into the future. The problem is also threatening South African vultures. The use of Muti is expected to increase with the 2010 World Cup Football matches in South Africa, because gamblers will try to predict who will win. For this vultures brains are smoked in the belief that the vultures' acute vision will be passed to the smoker, giving them foresight.

Even though vultures are protected by law in South Africa, it is estimated that at least 160 vultures are sold each year for Muti, and another 140 are killed each year, especially in Kwazulu-Natal, where poaching still goes largely unpunished. Scientists believe that vultures will go extinct in southern Africa in a matter of only 20-30 years.

Namibia - Lions and leopards targeted

The Animal Rehabilitation Research and Education Center in Namibia state that Furadan (carbofuran) is also misused against predators there. In northern Namibia poison is used for lions and leopards. In southern Namibia the black-backed jackal is the target species for poison. Many non-target species also die including birds of prey, mostly vultures but also eagles and migrant kites.