Aspects of the illegal hunting and trade of vultures in northern KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Abstract

The harvesting and trade of species for use in traditional medicine, or muthi, is predominantly illegal, unregulated,and likely unsustainable, representing a major conservation challenge. In South Africa, vulture populations havedeclined considerably in recent decades, but evidence shows a consistent use of vultures by traditional healthpractitioners. However, less is understood about the key factors that underpin the hunting of these birds. Weevaluated aspects of the illegal hunting and trade of vultures in northern KwaZulu-Natal Province. Data werecollected using in-depth interviews with local hunters and muthi traders. A mixed-method sampling design wasused, and data were analysed using the thematic analysis approach. The results revealed that vultures were huntedmainly by local men aged 24-40 years. The vultures were obtained using multiple techniques, but poison (38%) andfirearms (31%) were the preferred methods. Vultures were hunted upon request and traded through local networkscomprising hunters, traditional health practitioners and muthi traders. Carcasses were sold directly to traditionalhealth practitioners, but some were destined for the local market. Prices for the whole carcass ranged from ZAR500(US$29) to ZAR2 000 (US$116). Perceptions held by respondents concerning the hunting and trade of vulturesalluded to the difficulty of obtaining birds. This was attributed to vultures' conservation status and the risk of beingfound in the possession of a vulture or any of its by-products. Live vultures were reportedly hard to find as theymostly inhabited protected areas, and their low numbers were also highlighted as an exacerbating factor. The useof vultures in African traditional medicine is a well-established practice; however, presently, this threatens thelong-term persistence of vultures in the wild. Intricate socio-economic influences are at play, and addressing thesemay facilitate positive conservation outcomes for vultures and other target species in northern KwaZulu-Natal