{
  "id": 711559,
  "title": "Vultures are disappearing in Nigeria - but the 'Vulture King' is fighting to reverse the trend",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/vultures-are-disappearing-in-nigeria-but-the-vulture-king-is-fighting",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-12T23:19:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Science",
    "slug": "bbc-science",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx256pp33l3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a surprising twist, vultures in a small town in southeastern Nigeria are making a comeback, thanks to the tireless efforts of a man known as the Vulture King. The town of Awka-Etiti is home to a sacred forest surrounding a shrine dedicated to the deity Nguma, and locals continue to observe traditional practices in which vultures play a key role. According to Chukwuemeka Igwe, the Vulture King, the indigenous people do not hunt vultures, but rather offer fresh animal sacrifices at the shrine that attract the birds. Igwe believes that the presence of vultures is a good omen, as it suggests that the deity has accepted the sacrifice and heard the residents' appeal to its power. Vultures provide an important cleaning service by consuming dead animals, which helps prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria and diseases. Without vultures, ecosystems would lose a natural defense against the spread of disease. However, across the continent, vultures are disappearing at an alarming rate due to hunting linked to traditional beliefs and spiritual practices. Vultures are also threatened by rapid urban growth, which destroys many of the tall trees they nest in. Poisoning is another major cause of death for vultures in Africa, accounting for an estimated 60% of their decline. In recent years, conservationists have been searching for communities where vultures are not hunted, exploited, or feared. In Awka-Etiti, the Vulture King and his community have taken action to protect the birds from outside hunters and formalized their protection through local bylaws. As a result, the number of vultures in the town has increased from about 20 in 2017 to over 160.",
  "summary": "Some see them as sinister or hunt them for ritual use but these birds play a vital role in nature's cycle.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Vultures are disappearing in Nigeria - but the 'Vulture King' is fighting to reverse the trend",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/vultures-are-disappearing-in-nigeria-but-the-vulture-king-is-fighting-711601",
        "published": "2026-08-12T23:19:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}