81% of the kind of Vultures are threatened or almost threatened worldwide. Most of these species decrease, especially in Asia and Africa, mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as the illegal use of poisons.
In Africa, during the past 30 years, the populations of Eight species of vultures fell by an average of 62%. This alarming decrease in the number of individuals is due to various factors, but Ivoren Hunters are the big culprits.
In an action known as Ceninela poisoning, poachers use poison to kill elephants or infect their bodies in an attempt Eliminate howls that, by flying them out, would reveal the presence of poachers.
123 dead vultures and 84 stored
More than 120 vultures in danger of extinction died after feeding with the body of a poisoned elephant For alleged poachers in the Kruger National Park, the largest in South Africa, in one of the greatest cases of this type of registered in the region, the authorities responsible for the Wild Fauna of the country reported Thursday.
Besides, others 84 Vultures were saved alive and evacuated by the road and helicopter to receive intensive treatment and monitoring after poisoningEarlier this week, according to a joint statement from the National Parks of South Africa (Sanparks, in English) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Conservation NGO.
«The size of the tragedy is overwhelming: 123 howl They were found dead instead (…), They are all classified as in danger or critical danger«, Both organizations said. The incident was detected thanks to the groundbreaking system of supervision and detection of nature poisoning developed by EWT, which gave a warning for suspicious activity in a remote part of the park.
When a joint EWT and Sanparks team arrived on the spot, it came across a “massive poisoning event” caused by a Elephant body impregnated with very toxic agrochemical pesticidesA tactic used by poachers to collect parts of animals that are aimed at illegal random human trafficking.
Under the Dead Birds were identified African dorsiblancos -Gerse, Cape Vultures and an Orejudo -Gier (Mask), all species that are at risk of extinction according to IUCN. «This fact represents one of the greatest poisoning events of howl In South Africa and the wider coordinated rescue and reaction to date, “said Sanparks and EWT.
Both entities also warned an alarming trend: the Increasing the use of toxins in agriculture, which not only influences the vulturesBut also for other species such as lions, whose body parts have a growing question in traditional medicine.
The Rescue operation Mobilized more than 20 professionals, including Rangers, Veterinarians and members of Nature Conservation OrganizationsAnd the first time Sanparks used helicopters in a formal mission of this size to save poisoned animals in the wild. EFE / ECOTICIA.COM