08 Sep 2014

The numbers of vultures in the country has reduced drastically over the past years and they are on the verge of extinction.

Speaking during the International Vulture Awareness Day in Otse on September 6, Birdlife Botswana director, Dr Kabelo Senyatso said there were about 10 species of vultures in the country and all had been listed among the endangered species as they face possible extinction due to poisoning from farmers and poachers.

Dr Senyatso said hundreds of vultures had been killed in the past years through poisoning despite that their numbers were few and continue to decrease.

For instance, he said the number of Cape Vultures found at Manyelanong Hill in Otse used to be around 600, but they had reduced to about 120 birds, hence he said there was a possibility that the vultures could be wiped out in the near future if people continue to poison carcasses.

Further, Dr Senyatso pleaded with farmers to avoid poisoning carcasses as a method of killing their livestock preys because vultures eat such carcasses and die.

Further, he said they were working in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to avoid some of the vaccines used on livestock as they also contribute to the death of vultures.

He said some farmers deliberately use some drugs from the Ministry of Agricultures on carcasses to kills preys and they end up killing vultures.

The Birdlife Botswana director pleaded with the community to adopt measures which will help to preserve the vultures, adding that the Cape Vultures species were only found in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

He said in Botswana, Cape Vultures are only found in Otse and Tswapong hills which make them more vulnerable to extinction.

The chairperson of Cape Vultures Environmental Association, Mr Alfred Ntshonono said they were privileged to have the Cape Vultures in their area.

Mr Ntshonono noted that it was upon the community to protect the vultures adding that vultures help to keep the ecosystem balanced.

As such, he called upon the community members to help the association in its drive to raise awareness about protecting vultures.

The International Vulture Awareness Day, which is held annually on September 6, was first to be commemorated in Botswana. ENDS