Science Snippets: Vultures’ Power – Traditional Use and Conservation Concerns
New Research on Vulture Use in Traditional Medicine
A published paper co-authored by EWT scientists* examines the complex relationship between traditional healing practices and vulture conservation in South Africa. This Science Snippets: Vultures’ Power study, titled Uses of Vultures in Traditional Medicines in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region, South Africa, reveals critical insights into how cultural beliefs impact endangered vulture populations.
Key Findings from the Research
The study documents:
- Interviews with 51 traditional healers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces
- Specific vulture parts used for different purposes:
- Brains: Believed to enhance clairvoyance
- Hearts: Thought to increase intelligence
- Livers: Used to promote prophetic dreams
- Mixed preparations: For employment-related purposes
Conservation Impacts
The research highlights alarming trends:
- Supply chain issues:
- Most vultures obtained through poisoning or trapping
- Single poisoning events often kill multiple birds
- Prices range from ZAR300 to ZAR1,500 per bird
- Population threats:
- Estimated 400-800 vultures used annually in the study region
- Cape vultures most sought-after for perceived potency
- Some healers report using up to 10 birds per year
Recommendations for Sustainable Coexistence
The authors propose balanced solutions:
- Developing alternatives: Promoting non-vulture ingredients for traditional medicine
- Community engagement: Educating about vultures’ ecological importance
- Policy reinforcement: Strengthening enforcement against illegal wildlife trade
- Monitoring programmes: Tracking vulture populations and trade patterns
The Way Forward
This Science Snippets: Vultures’ Power research provides crucial data to inform conservation strategies. While respecting cultural traditions, the study emphasises the urgent need to protect vulture populations that:
- Maintain ecosystem health through carcass removal
- Provide disease control by preventing pathogen spread
- Offer economic benefits to livestock farmers
Read the full study:
Journal of Raptor Research
Citation:
Mashele, N., Thompson, L.J., & Downs, C.T. (2021). Uses of Vultures in Traditional Medicines in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region, South Africa. Journal of Raptor Research 55(3).