Understanding recent mass killings of hooded vultures in Gambia and a violation of wildlife laws 

A tragedy is unfolding as The Gambia, a nation once a habitat for wildlife, is experiencing a significant number of hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) deaths across various regions.  

There is a growing trend of cruelty against these hooded vultures, which is a blatant violation of wildlife laws, as many communities are witnessing brutal killings of these endangered species.

Hooded vultures are a type of scavenging bird found in sub-Saharan Africa, notable for their role in maintaining ecosystem health. 

They are characterised by their dark brown plumage, white-grey heads and necks (black in juveniles), and pinkish faces. 

They live on trees and feed on the carcasses of dead animals to control the spread of disease. Their strong stomach acids can neutralise pathogens that would be harmful to other animals and humans. 

Cases of alleged mass vulture killing 

On July 3, 2025, more than 23 hooded vultures were discovered dead on a hill in Gunjur, a coastal town in The Gambia. 

Local residents suspected the vultures had succumbed to a toxic substance and promptly reported the incident to the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA).  

The team arrived at the location to gather samples and buried the remains.  

The samples taken from the site, unfortunately, indicated the presence of poison.  

It remains unclear whether the birds were the intended victims of this illegal and inhumane act, or perhaps they consumed something harmful from their surroundings.  

Following this, similar occurrences of hooded vulture deaths were reported in other coastal communities.  

On July 14, dozens of hooded vultures were found decapitated in Bonto Kuta village in Kombo East.

On July 29, two weeks after the vulture killings in Bonto, 44 hooded vultures were discovered dead in Brufut, another coastal town approximately 10 kilometres from Gunjur, where the initial incidents took place.  

This marked the third alarming incident of mass vulture deaths in the area.  

Residents and officials suspect that the vultures were poisoned.

On August 7, numerous vultures were killed in Somita, a small village in Foni (West Coast Region).

Less than 24 hours later, two suspects, Lance Corporal Alieu Jallow, a soldier, and Ebrima Khan, a restaurant owner, were caught after they allegedly poisoned meat to lure and kill vultures on the outskirts of Dobong village.  

Villagers found that 11 birds were beheaded and linked the act to illegal wildlife trade for religious and monetary purposes.

The following day, officials from the Department of Parks and Wildlife, along with the West African Birds Study Association, visited the scene and found an additional three vultures dead, making the total 14. 

Picture of a vulture killing in Foni Dobong village.

The suspects were arrested and handed over to the Bwiam police in the Foni Kansala District, as police investigate the incident.

Barely 12 hours after the arrest of these two individuals, another mass vulture death was uncovered in the Nianija constituency in Gambia’s Central River Region, where over 22 hooded vultures were found dead with their heads severed.  

The ongoing mass killings of vultures pose a serious threat to endangered species.  

From the West Coast to the Central River Region, the continuing cruelty against these endangered birds is raising alarm among residents.

The act has been condemned by the Vulture Conservation Foundation, environmentalists, parks and wildlife advocates, and lawmakers, among others.  

The repeated incidents are likely connected to rituals associated with local superstitions. 

“I was shocked when I saw this; it’s sad that people are killing these innocent birds. 

Who knows, they might use this for black magic,” stated Alasana Gibba, the Alkalo of Dobong village in Foni.  

Mr. Gibba has called for a thorough investigation into these events and urged authorities to impose severe penalties on offenders.  

“In our region, it’s alarming because people are now exhuming dead bodies and removing their parts… the vulture killings could also be linked to that,” remarked Yahya Gibba, a resident of Foni Dobong.  

Many individuals have expressed concerns that those responsible for killing the vultures are using them for spiritual purposes.  

Using vulture parts (the head or feet) is believed to bring power, good fortune, and protection against witchcraft.  

Are Vultures rapidly declining?  

Road surveys of hooded vultures conducted in The Gambia indicate a steadily increasing population from 2005 to 2017, but a decline was recorded in November 2021.  

This has raised concerns regarding the population growth of these endangered bird species.  

“With time, we will lose all these birds if we don’t take strong measures now,” warned Fagimba Camara, a West African Bird Study Association member.  

Laws Protecting Endangered Species  

The Gambia has the 2003 Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Act that protects endangered species.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife manages the flora and fauna to protect them.  

Section 48 of the Act, on page 25, prohibits individuals from hunting wildlife without a license or permit from the authorised agencies. Read the 48-page Act here.

While section 61 prescribes the penalty for hunting without a license.

Section 61 stated, “A person who hunts or harvests a scheduled biological resource in contravention of this Part commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dalasis or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both the fine and imprisonment.”

Meanwhile, part VII of the Act prohibits the use of a poison, poisoned weapon or poison bait to hunt endangered species.

However, despite the existence of these laws, there is a rapidly increasing concern over the illegal killings of hooded vultures, raising serious environmental issues.  

Department of Parks and Wildlife, WABSA Response  

Meanwhile, the Department of Parks & Wildlife and the West African Bird Study Association have condemned the killings and pledged to take action against the offenders.  

They cautioned that such acts violate environmental laws and that offenders face severe consequences. 

Mawdo Jallow, Deputy Director of Parks and Wildlife and the city’s Focal Person, stated, “We will not take this lightly. This is cruelty against vultures, and we will make sure the offenders are punished.”

Fagimba Camara, Head of Research at WABSA, commended the residents of Dobong for promptly reporting the incident to the authorities.

The ongoing mass hooded vulture killings are raising concerns across the country as they threaten the safety of these vital wildlife birds that feed on carcasses to prevent the spread of disease. It’s called for the enforcement of laws to prevent such incidents and preserve the vultures.