In southern Africa, conservation groups are working hard to protect vultures by showing how important they are to both nature and the economy. A report by BirdLife International, released in early 2025, estimated that vultures provide about $1.8 billion in ecological value each year across Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These birds help the environment by cleaning up dead animals quickly, which prevents the spread of disease and keeps pests like rats and stray dogs away.

Vultures have special abilities that make them very important. They can safely eat carcasses infected with dangerous bacteria like anthrax and botulism, helping keep ecosystems clean. Rangers also use vultures to spot poaching sites by watching their flight patterns. But despite their value, vultures face many dangers. Six out of 11 African vulture species are now endangered or critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Many vultures are killed each year by poisoned food, power lines, and cultural beliefs. In some traditions, vultures are thought to have supernatural powers and are hunted for use in rituals. Conservationists say these false beliefs—often spread through movies or stories—harm the vultures’ reputation. Experts are calling for more public awareness and stronger support to protect these birds, which are essential to keeping the environment healthy.