Kara Market, situated along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the junction of Lagos and Ogun states, stands out as a bustling center for cattle and ram transactions. This market, which houses an abattoir, sees substantial volumes of livestock processed and sold to meat vendors on a daily basis.
Once a common sight at such open-air markets, vultures have become increasingly rare, with only cattle egrets now observed soaring above. A recent tour through the market revealed a total absence of vultures, which were once prevalent in the area.
A butcher, known as Tijani and a decade-long market veteran, expressed confusion when asked about the last sighting of a vulture. “Ah! You won’t see vultures here anymore. Only egrets remain,” he commented, indicating the stark shift in the local avian population. He noted that vultures are now more frequently seen in regions like Ijebu, distant from Kara Market.
The butchers acknowledged their awareness of vultures as scavengers of dead animals but admitted a lack of understanding regarding the crucial ecological roles these birds play. This reflects a widespread misconception among many Nigerians regarding the importance of vultures in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
Once prevalent in urban environments like Lagos, vultures have become a rare sight at locations such as the Olusosun dumpsite, where they once thrived among waste. A worker at this site reported that the last vulture sighted was in 2022, marking a concerning decline across Nigeria.
Vultures serve a vital function in preventing disease proliferation by consuming decaying carcasses. Their absence poses a significant risk to both wildlife and human health, as decomposing animals can become breeding grounds for hazardous pathogens. Experts stress that vultures are nature’s essential waste management system, effectively keeping the environment hygienic.
Dr. Mark Ofua, a conservationist, emphasized the critical role of vultures in biodiversity, stating, “Their loss could have severe consequences.” He cited instances in other countries, like India, where declining vulture populations correlated with increased rabies outbreaks due to a rise in alternative scavengers lacking the same disease resistance.
The seven vulture species indigenous to Nigeria, which include the Egyptian vulture and hooded vulture, are currently classified as critically endangered. Reports indicate that the hooded vulture’s population has plummeted by over 80% in certain areas, attributed to habitat destruction, poisoning, and poaching.
The decline in vulture populations is compounded by habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion and urban development. Traditional beliefs also fuel poaching, as vultures are wrongfully associated with negative connotations in some cultures. Reports have identified significant markets for vulture parts, particularly in major Nigerian cities.
With the continued disappearance of vultures, Nigeria risks facing severe public health challenges, similar to those experienced in other regions where their populations have dwindled. The rise of secondary scavengers, which do not possess the same resistance to disease, further exacerbates this risk.
Mary Egbe, a Species Conservation Manager, highlighted the urgent need for awareness initiatives to educate the public on the ecological roles of vultures. She underlined the critical danger posed by their disappearance, particularly concerning the transmission of diseases like rabies.
As vultures increasingly vanish from the landscape, it is imperative that communities collaborate with conservationists to safeguard these birds. Implementation of stringent regulations against poaching and pesticide use is essential to protect the ecological balance.
Lessons from India serve as a warning; the loss of vultures led to a severe public health crisis and a staggering financial toll on their health system. Without proactive measures, Nigeria may soon face similar consequences.
