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. 2025 Jul 22;21(1):51.
doi: 10.1186/s13002-025-00806-z.

Cultural significance and conservation challenges of the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and other vulture species in northeastern Benin

Fidèle Ezéchiel Koffi Hounnouvi  1 , Jemima Lydie Obandza-Ayessa  2 , Stanislas Mahussi Gandaho  3   4 , Lindy Jane Thompson  5   6
Affiliations

Cultural significance and conservation challenges of the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and other vulture species in northeastern Benin

Fidèle Ezéchiel Koffi Hounnouvi et al. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. .

Abstract

Background: West Africa remains the stronghold for Critically Endangered hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) and other species of vulture, but these populations are declining. Since anthropogenic threats pose the greatest risks to vultures, it is crucial to understand people's perceptions of these birds, and their ethno-cultural significance, in areas surrounding national parks to inform conservation policy through an understanding of cultural values and practices.

Methods: We used semi-structured interviews to collect data from 450 respondents in nine localities near three protected areas in northeastern Benin: Sota Forest, Trois Rivières Forest, and Alibori Supérieur Forest.

Results: The findings showed that 80% (n = 360) of participants had encountered vultures in the past three years, with the hooded vulture being the most frequently observed vulture species (98% of sightings). We found significant gender-based differences in people's awareness and perceptions of vultures, with men demonstrating greater awareness and more positive perceptions of vultures' roles in carcass disposal and locating missing livestock. Overall, 60% (n = 270) of respondents associated vultures with superstition and witchcraft. Most respondents (70%, n = 315) reported using vulture brains and bones for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Intentional poisoning was the most frequently reported cause of vulture population declines (70%, n = 315). Conservation measures suggested by survey respondents included the protection and restoration of critical nesting habitats (86%, n = 386, raising awareness about threats to vultures (84%, n = 378), equipping ecoguards to safeguard and monitor vulture nests (65%, n = 344), breeding vultures in captivity (60%, n = 270), and enforcing strict penalties for illegal vulture hunting (55%, n = 247). Younger adults (aged 18-30) showed significantly greater support for conservation efforts than older adults (aged > 30).

Conclusion: There is an urgent need for a multidimensional approach to vulture conservation in Benin. This approach should integrate awareness campaigns, population monitoring, better enforcement of environmental legislation, and improved habitat conservation to reverse the declines of these critical species.

Keywords: Alibori supérieur forest; Benin; Ethno-ecology; Magico-traditional medicine; Sota forest; Trois rivieres forest; Vultures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The research protocol was reviewed and approved by the Kandi administrative and traditional authorities, in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki. Prior to participation, all respondents were informed about the purpose of the study, the voluntary nature of their participation, and their right to withdraw at any time without consequence. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection. Confidentiality and anonymity of all personal information were strictly maintained. No sensitive personal data were collected, and responses were used solely for academic and conservation purposes. Consent for publication: All participants in this study gave their informed verbal consent to participate, and all data were anonymized. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study sites (villages, indicated by red dots) where we conducted interviews with people living adjacent to three protected areas in northeastern Benin
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Vulture sightings reported across three protected areas in northeastern Benin. A Percentage of respondents reporting any vulture sightings in each protected area (n = 450 total). B Distribution of reported vulture species per protected area. Species include: hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), Rüppell’s vulture (Gyps rueppelli), and white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Gender-based comparison of perceptions and beliefs regarding vultures in northeastern Benin. A Percentage of male and female respondents who expressed negative, neutral, or positive perceptions of vultures (n = 450). B Percentage of male and female respondents who associated vultures with signs of misfortune, spiritual uses, or traditional medicine
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Reported uses of different vulture body parts by local communities surrounding three protected areas in northeastern Benin. Percentages represent the relative frequency of specific uses associated with each part (bone, brain, feathers, and skull)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Community-proposed strategies for vulture conservation in northeastern Benin
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