Harare— Concerns are mounting over the declining population of vultures in Zimbabwe due to the illegal use of their body parts in traditional medicine. Traditional healers, known as Sekurus, believe that vulture body parts possess mystical qualities that can grant strength and clairvoyance. The demand for these parts has not only contributed to the decline of vulture populations but also poses a threat to the country’s ecosystem.
Illegal trade in vulture body parts is common in Zimbabwe, as well as other parts of southern Africa. Traditional healers use various parts, attributing different attributes to each. For instance, the bird’s head is used in divination rituals, while the feathers are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, vulture bones are sought after for their alleged healing properties.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has recognized the importance of vultures in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Vultures play a vital role in cleaning up the environment and preventing the spread of diseases such as anthrax and rabies. According to the authority’s vulture management plan, a single vulture provides over $11,000 worth of ecosystem services through its cleaning activities.
BirdLife Zimbabwe, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bird conservation, conducted research in 2021 that revealed traditional medicine as a major factor contributing to vulture population decline. The study showed that this practice accounted for 29% of vulture deaths, while poisoning, powerline collisions, and wind farm accidents caused 61%, 9%, and 1% of deaths, respectively.
Conservationists are alarmed at the declining vulture numbers and fear a situation similar to the dramatic decline of vulture species in India between 1992 and 2007, where populations dropped by 97% to 99%. The decline in India was attributed to the ingestion of a drug called diclofenac found in cattle carcasses, leading to the spread of zoonotic diseases and an increase in rabies cases.
To address the threats faced by vultures in Zimbabwe, the government has taken action to protect the endangered species under the Parks and Wildlife Act. The country’s vulture management plan includes strategies such as research, habitat protection, community engagement, law enforcement, powerline mitigation, rehabilitation, and captive breeding.
However, the decline in vulture populations is not limited to Zimbabwe alone. In neighboring countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique, over 387 vultures were poisoned between 2017 and early 2018. In West Africa, more than 2,000 critically endangered hooded vultures were poisoned in Guinea-Bissau and Gambia between 2019 and 2022.
Prince Sibanda, the Secretary of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association, acknowledges the role traditional healers play in the killing of vultures. He believes that changing the beliefs held by healers about the power of vulture body parts is crucial to saving the birds and preserving the environment.
Efforts are underway to raise awareness and educate traditional healers about the impact of their practices on vulture populations. The Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association has initiated awareness campaigns, workshops, and outreach programs to change beliefs and discourage the use of vulture body parts.
While some healers argue for a vetting process to allow the use of vultures that die naturally, conservationists emphasize the need for stricter legislation and stiffer penalties to deter the illegal killing of vultures. The current punishment for killing a vulture under Zimbabwean law is a three-year jail term, which many conservationists feel is inadequate.
The plight of vultures in Zimbabwe serves as a reminder of the need to balance cultural beliefs with conservation efforts. By promoting alternative healing practices and raising awareness about the importance of vultures in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, Zimbabwe can work towards protecting these magnificent birds for future generations.
