More vultures perish in Botswana

 It is with great sadness that on the 22nd October 2020 at least fifty-five (55) White-backed vultures were found dead from suspected poisoning at Mmadikola, around Rakops Village near Boteti river, South Western side of Makgadikgadi Wetland System. BirdLife Botswana, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Raptors Botswana, and other like-minded organization have joined hands to further investigate other related factors surrounding the incident. This is not the first time a significant number of vultures are found dead around this area. Prior to this current incident, the last report was in 2015 near Mopipi village, also not far from Boteti river. However, we have frequently been receiving numbers of vulture’s death across the country, where the latest largest vulture death records of at least 537 was in June 2019 around Chobe linked to elephant poaching. Earlier in 2019 at least 60 were reported dead from a suspected poisoning incident around Tuli block (North-Eastern side) and a further 80 were poisoned in an area bordering Moremi Game Reserve in north-west Botswana. In February 2020, at least 16 white-backed vultures were found dead from suspected poisoning near Mosu Village in Makgadikgadi Wetland System. This situation is getting worse by the day considering that vultures are recorded to be on the decline largely due to poisoning from misuse of Agrochemicals. Studies indicate that threats from poisoning and trade in traditional medicines account for 90% of reported vulture deaths in Africa. According to the IUCN red Data List seven of the African Vultures are critically endangered and hence on the verge of extinction if we don’t act now. This is disturbing.

Agrochemicals used illegally to poison vultures, especially carbofuran-based substances, should be banned, and the use of safer alternatives encouraged. Although the Agrochemicals Act of 1999 and subsidiary 2003 legislation are in place to manage agrochemicals in Botswana, there is relatively little capacity to enforce. There is a need for stakeholders to assist government efforts as much as possible. Although the law prohibits killing of vultures in Botswana and that one could face USD500 (BWP5000) fine or a year in prison or both, no action has been taken against culprits to date. The best method to wildlife poisoning is prevention. Working with among others, the Ministry of Environment Natural Resource Conservation and Tourism, through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks with support from various agencies including Conservation Trust Fund, EU, UNDP, and National Environmental Fund, BirdLife Botswana does significant work towards public education throughout the country on the need to conserve vultures and especially wise use of agrochemicals. However, it seems more needs to be done and we are calling for all interested partners to engage the public with us to negate this predicament. Let’s continue reporting all incidences to BirdLife Botswana or Department of Wildlife and National Parks offices near you.

Report by Motshereganyi Virat Kootsositse, Director, BirdLife Botswana