February 2016
Vulture Update
Vulture Update
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24th Feb <strong>2016</strong><br />
AFRICAN VULTURE UPDATES<br />
BirdLife International Africa Partnership Secretariat<br />
In this update:<br />
Projects –Saving Africa’s<br />
Vultures.<br />
Policy and Advocacy -<br />
UNEA, IUCN WCC<br />
Strategic Planning<br />
Media Highlights<br />
1. Projects: Saving Africa’s Vultures<br />
The project funded by Fondation Segre has<br />
recently started. The aim is to reduce the illegal use of agrochemicals<br />
and other toxic compounds known to poison<br />
vultures in Chobe District—Botswana, Masai Mara<br />
Reserve—Kenya and Hwange National Park—Zimbabwe.<br />
Through the project we will support law enforcement,<br />
influence policy and initiate awareness campaigns. The<br />
project induction meeting was held on the 4th of <strong>February</strong><br />
<strong>2016</strong>.<br />
2. Policy and Advocacy: United Nations Environment Assembly<br />
2 (UNEA 2)<br />
A concept for a vulture themed side-event was submitted for UNEA 2 (23-27 May<br />
<strong>2016</strong>) titled: “Saving Africa’s Vultures for a Healthy Environment and Healthy<br />
People.” which is in-line with the theme for the event. The aim is to highlight to profile<br />
the importance of vulture conservation to the delivery of the three pillars of the<br />
Sustainable Development Goals by demonstrating the links between vultures and<br />
human health. The outcome of the selections is awaited.<br />
IUCN World Conservation Congress<br />
BirdLife International has led on the development of a motion titled: Promoting<br />
conservation of African-Eurasian vultures and their ecosystem service values.<br />
BirdLife has also agreed to co-sponsor three illegal wildlife poisoning motions led by<br />
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), RSPB and Game Rangers Association of Africa.<br />
Detailed motions can be shared on request.<br />
3. Strategic Planning: Pan African Ornithological Conference<br />
(PAOC)<br />
During PAOC a 4 day workshop on the 2nd Pan African Vulture Summit (PAVS) will<br />
be held. Discussions are ongoing between BirdLife, VSG and The Peregrine Fund on<br />
the structure of the workshop.<br />
BirdLife Africa Partnership Vulture Strategy<br />
The draft strategy is ready for circulation through the partnership with inputs from the<br />
vulture session at CAP 2015. Keep an eye out for this in your inboxes soon.<br />
4. Media Highlights<br />
Following a field Visit to the cliffs of Kwenia, Kenya, where a large colony of Rüppell’s<br />
vultures can be found, an article to raise awareness on the plight of vultures in Africa,<br />
based on the field visit was released by AP journalist, Chris Torchia. The article was<br />
picked up by over 250 media outlets with global outreach, including the NY Times.<br />
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ba82cd84dd7a44a88f5081baa41d3815/give-vultureslittle-love-conservationists-say<br />
An article published by Mail & Guardian<br />
African featuring the Saving Africa’s<br />
Vultures plan for dealing with poisoning in<br />
Kenya and discussing the recent vulture<br />
poisoning incidents in Kenya and<br />
Zimbabwe. http://m.mgafrica.com/<br />
article/<strong>2016</strong>-02-04-vultures-solutions<br />
An in-house video to say thank you for<br />
the Osaka Gala Dinner funds was made<br />
this month and will be shown by Princess<br />
“We are being really effective in advancing the<br />
vulture conservation agenda” -Richard<br />
Grimmett, Director for Conservation, BirdLife<br />
International.<br />
N.B: f you have any interesting or newsworthy vulture updates please send it to<br />
Masumi.Gudka@birdlife.org for the next update by the 30th of March.
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