Abundance, distribution, and conservation status of critically endangered vultures in N’Djamena and environs, Chad, Central Africa

Vultures provide essential environmental services by eliminating animal carcass remains and preventing the spread of diseases, but unfortunately, many African vulture species have exhibited significant population declines and are now in imminent danger of global extinction. In West Africa, anthropogenic drivers of these declines include poisoning and persecution for a lucrative, burgeoning wildlife trade for belief-based use, in which vultures command some of the highest prices. To date, however, little information has been available to inform vulture conservation in Chad, Central Africa. We assessed the abundance, distribution, and conservation status of critically endangered hooded vultures ( Necrosyrtes monachus ) at 11 slaughterhouses and waste sites in and around N’Djamena, Chad’s capital and largest city, and conducted 93 interviews with local residents to evaluate anthropogenic threats, attitudes, and awareness about vultures. Vultures appeared to be absent at more than half (55%) of sites surveyed, and we estimated a total population of ~113 hooded vultures at all remaining sites. Vulture abundance was higher at sites with more vegetation, and lower at sites with higher human population densities. Interview participants reported familiarity with five endangered and critically endangered vulture species, and the majority (89%) recognized that vultures and other birds are protected by law in Chad. However, nearly half (47%) of respondents reported knowledge of recent vulture poisoning incidents, and over a third (37%) indicated that foreign poachers, reportedly from countries including Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Cameroon, use poison to trap and/or kill vultures in Chad for use in international trade. Illegal wildlife trade in West Africa thus appears to negatively affect vulture populations and environmental health in Central Africa, where international collaboration is urgently needed to protect remaining vulture populations.