Survey reveals fewer than 30 Hooded Vultures remain in Chad

Conservationists have found that the last viable populations of the critically endangered Hooded Vulture in Chad are now confined to the perimeters of urban slaughterhouses, according to a survey released this week. Researchers from BirdLife International and the Chadian Ministry of Environment counted fewer than 30 individuals feeding on waste at three major abattoirs in N’Djamena and nearby towns. The birds, once common across West and Central Africa, now rely on these sites for the only reliable source of carrion.

The discovery comes as the Hooded Vulture faces a rapid decline across its range. In the past two decades, the species has lost more than 90 % of its historic numbers. Poisoning, often from poachers targeting other wildlife, is the chief cause of mortality. Illegal trade in vulture parts for traditional medicine and the loss of natural feeding grounds have also taken a heavy toll. Vultures play a vital role in cleaning up animal carcasses, limiting disease spread and supporting public health. Their disappearance threatens ecosystems and human communities alike.

The field team surveyed 12 slaughterhouses between March and May, documenting feeding behavior, breeding attempts and mortality causes. They recorded five nests, each with a single egg, and noted that most birds showed signs of lead exposure, likely from contaminated meat. Local abattoir managers said they were unaware of the vultures’ presence until the researchers arrived. The Ministry of Environment has pledged to ban the use of toxic chemicals near these sites and to install safe feeding platforms that reduce the risk of poisoning. International NGOs have offered funding for a pilot program that monitors vulture health and trains butchers to handle waste responsibly.

If the new protections take hold, conservationists hope the species can recover enough to re‑establish colonies outside the slaughterhouse perimeter. Plans include creating protected feeding zones in rural markets and launching community awareness campaigns about the vultures’ ecological importance. The next field season will focus on tracking the birds with GPS tags to understand their movements and identify additional safe foraging sites. Success could signal a turning point for a species once thought to be disappearing from the continent entirely.