West Africa’s plan to save its vultures struggles to take flight

West Africa’s efforts to safeguard its vulture populations are facing significant challenges, with several species teetering on the brink of extinction. In Togo, the critically endangered hooded vulture, once a common sight at abattoirs, is now reduced to a mere few hundred individuals. Palm-nut vultures are only found in protected areas, while white-backed vultures are presumed locally extinct, with the last sighting in 2019.

Nico Arcilla, president of the International Bird Conservation Partnership (IBCP), expressed the concerning reality, stating that finding vultures has become increasingly difficult. In markets across the region, vulture parts continue to be in demand. In Benin, a major hub for vulture trade, unpublished market data revealed 883 vultures for sale in nine markets in 2023, with a staggering 535 vultures still available in 24 markets surveyed in 2025-2026.

This persistent demand, even in areas where vulture numbers have sharply declined or disappeared from the wild, underscores the ongoing pressure on these species. Ralph Buij, a senior scientist with the Peregrine Fund, explained that the declining numbers in market surveys do not correlate with reduced demand. Instead, they reflect the dwindling populations of vultures remaining in the wild.