Scientific name: Gyps africanus

Swahili name [1]: Tumbusi mgongo-mweupe 

 

Threats and impacts [2]:

Habitat degradation and fragmentation are two major factors reducing White-backed vulture populations. Both reduce the foraging range and food availability, while increasing human-wildlife interaction. Because large numbers of vultures can gather to feed at one carcass, poisoning, whether intended or incidental, is another major factor in the decline of White-backed vultures. Vultures are also electrocuted when they land on or collide with power lines. 

 

Conservation: 

The White-backed vulture is covered by a Multi-Species Action Plan (MsAP) for the Conservation of African-Eurasian Vultures. The MsAP offered over 120 key actions to address, most prominently filling in knowledge gaps and reducing unintentional mortality (poisoning). Additionally, a Pan-African Vulture Conservation Strategy seeks greater conservation measures, greater awareness and legal protection for vultures. 

 

IUCN: Critically Endangered, (2015), population decreasing.

 

[1] http://www.kenyalogy.com/eng/fauna/wbvu.html

[2] BirdLife International 2018. Gyps africanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22695189A126667006. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22695189A126667006.en. Downloaded on 9 August 2019.

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Photo credit: Ivan Tse