Conservationists launch initiative to protect endangered vultures in Chad

The nonprofit organization Sahara Conservation is launching a project to protect dwindling vulture populations in Chad, Mongabay reported on October 16, 2026. The initiative targets illegal killing and poisoning of the birds amid a wider decline in vulture numbers across Central Africa. [1]

Mongabay reported that the effort forms part of the European Union funded LIFE EV Safe Return program. This broader initiative focuses specifically on protecting the endangered Egyptian vulture, a species that migrates from its northern breeding grounds to regions in Africa. [1]

Vultures perform vital ecosystem functions by rapidly consuming animal carcasses, which stops the spread of pathogens and recycles nutrients. Their stomach acid is exceptionally strong, allowing them to safely neutralize harmful toxins and bacteria in decaying meat that would make other species sick. [4]

Vulture populations have suffered severe global declines in recent decades. In Africa, these birds face threats from intentional baiting and incidental poisoning, while in South Asia, veterinary use of the drug diclofenac reduced Gyps vulture numbers by over 99 percent. [2][4]