In southern Africa, conservation organizations are intensifying efforts to protect endangered vultures by emphasizing their ecological and economic value. A report by BirdLife International, published in early 2025, estimated that vultures generate around $1.8 billion each year in ecological value within the ecosystems of Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The report noted that vultures play an indispensable role in carcass disposal, pest control, and disease prevention. These avian scavengers can remove decaying animal remains within hours, thereby reducing the spread of pathogens and deterring disease-carrying animals such as rats and feral dogs. The campaign to rehabilitate their image comes amid alarming statistics: six out of 11 African vulture species are now classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The report highlighted vultures’ exceptional biological traits, including the ability to neutralize lethal bacteria such as anthrax and botulism. Experts explained that this makes vultures unparalleled in environmental sanitation. Additionally, rangers utilize vultures as “sentinels,” relying on their flight patterns to track down poaching sites or injured wildlife. Although vultures play a vital ecological role, they are exposed to severe threats. Hundreds are killed annually by poisoned carcasses, electrical infrastructure, and belief-based killings. In certain cultures, vultures are believed to possess clairvoyant abilities and are killed for use in traditional practices. Conservationists argue that widespread misconceptions, often perpetuated by popular media, have tarnished the species’ reputation. Experts urge the public and authorities to reconsider the vulture’s portrayal and support conservation efforts to protect this irreplaceable component of the natural environment.