By Ngozi Eyeh
Vulture is a bird of prey with a head and neck that are more or less bare of feathers, feeding mainly on carrion and reputed to gather with others in anticipation of the death of a sick or injured animal or person.
The southeastern part of Nigeria, which consists of the Igbo-speaking states and communities, calls vulture Udele.
Most Niger Delta communities also call vulture Udele, Odele or Utere. The northerners call it Ungulai or Ungulaye, while the Yoruba call it Ekun.
There are 23 extant species of vultures. The old-world vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa and Asia. New world vultures are restricted to North and South America and consist of seven identified species, all belonging to the Cathartidae family.
Vultures are often seen as ugly, evil, or disgusting birds that feed on dead animals. But in fact, vultures are very important to nature and help improve the climate by providing several ecosystem services.
Here are some of the ways that vultures benefit the environment and humans:
Vultures are nature’s clean-up crew. They scavenge on carcasses that would otherwise rot and spread diseases to other animals and humans. By eating dead animals, vultures prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and parasites that can cause infections such as anthrax, rabies, and tuberculosis.
Vultures are climate heroes. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions by preventing the release of carbon dioxide and methane from decaying carcasses. These gases contribute to global warming and climate change.
A new study estimated that vultures can prevent up to 60.7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year, which is equivalent to taking 2.6 million cars off the road.
Vultures are nutrient recyclers. They help cycle nutrients back into the soil and plants by digesting and excreting organic matter from carcasses.
Their droppings are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth and soil fertility.
Vultures are biodiversity indicators. They reflect the health and diversity of the ecosystems they inhabit. They depend on large areas of natural habitats, abundant prey, and clean water sources.
Their presence or absence can signal changes in the environment, such as habitat loss, overhunting, or pollution.
Unfortunately, vultures are facing many threats that have caused their populations to decline drastically in some regions of the world, such as Africa and Asia.
Some of these threats include poisoning, poaching, electrocution, collision with power lines, habitat degradation, and reduced food availability. These threats not only endanger the survival of vultures, but also affect the ecosystem services they provide.
Therefore, it is important to conserve and protect vultures for their own sake and for the sake of nature and humans. Vultures are not villains, but valuable allies in fighting climate change and maintaining a healthy environment.
How We Can Conserve Vultures
There are many ways we can help conserve vultures, depending on our level of interest and involvement.
By learning more about vultures and their importance to nature and the climate, we can better understand the way to go.
By visiting the websites of the Vulture Conservation Foundation, the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group, and the International Vulture Awareness Day to find out more about vulture biology, ecology, threats, and conservation actions, we can find valuable information.
We can also read books, watch documentaries, and follow social media accounts of vulture experts and organizations.
Through supporting vulture conservation projects and organizations financially or by volunteering, we can help encourage conservation. You can donate money, equipment, or time to help vulture conservation efforts in your region or around the world. You can also join or organize fundraising events, such as sponsored walks, runs, or bike rides, to raise awareness and funds for vultures.
Participating in citizen science and monitoring programs for vultures is useful. You can help collect data on vulture populations, movements, and behaviors by reporting your sightings, taking photos, or using GPS tags. You can also join or organize surveys, counts, or censuses of vultures in your area or during your travels.
Advocating for vulture-friendly policies and practices at local, national, and international levels will go a long way. You can contact your representatives, sign petitions, write letters, or join campaigns to urge governments and businesses to protect vultures and their habitats from threats such as poisoning, poaching, electrocution, collision, habitat loss, and reduced food availability. You can also promote the use of alternative methods to dispose of animal carcasses, such as composting or incineration.
Educating yourself and others about the benefits of vultures and the danger of their decline is also a crucial step to begin. You can share your knowledge and passion for vultures with your family, friends, colleagues, students, or community members. You can also organize or attend events, such as talks, workshops, exhibitions, or festivals, to celebrate and appreciate vultures.
You can also use creative ways to spread the message about vultures, such as writing poems, stories, songs, blogs, or articles; making art, crafts, or videos; or wearing vulture-themed clothing or accessories.