Mass Death of Hooded Vultures Reported in Gunjur: Poisoning Suspected

Residents of Gunjur were left shocked on Thursday morning after dozens of hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus), a critically endangered species, were found dead in the center of town.

23 hooded vultures dead and fone bird sound alive in Gunjur on Thursday suspected of being poisoned | Photo credits: West African Bird Study Association (WABSA)

The distressing discovery was first reported to the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA) by Buba, a local resident, around 11:00 AM Thursday morning. In response, WABSA’s Executive Director dispatched a team led by Head of Research Fagimba Camara and researcher Awa, who visited the scene alongside Buba to assess the situation.

On arrival, the team documented 23 hooded vultures dead and found one bird alive but severely ill. Samples from the deceased birds were collected for laboratory analysis to determine the cause of death.

Although investigations are ongoing, poisoning is strongly suspected as the likely cause of the mass mortality.

Hooded vultures play a vital ecological role as nature’s clean-up crew by feeding on animal carcasses, helping to prevent the spread of disease. Their rapid decline in West Africa has already raised alarm among conservationists, and incidents such as this pose a further threat to their survival.

“This is a deeply worrying incident. Hooded vultures are critically endangered and losing even a small number has a big impact,” a WABSA official said. “We are working to identify the cause and to engage with the community to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”

WABSA has urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or further wildlife deaths immediately.

The organisation says it will release further details once the results of laboratory tests are available.