Dr. Darcy Ogada, the Africa Program Director, visited LWF and delivered a presentation on raptors, which proved to be both informative and enlightening. Even after her departure, discussions about the presentation continued among the team.
During her presentation, Darcy shed light on the efforts aimed at preventing extinction, protecting habitats, engaging communities, and addressing threats to raptors. She elaborated on the pivotal roles played by raptors, including top predatory eagles and vultures, in maintaining healthy ecosystems and providing various benefits to the environment, human health, and economies.
Moreover, Darcy highlighted the significant threats faced by these birds, such as habitat loss, poisoning, electrocution on power lines, collisions at wind farms, and persecution. Clarifying the term “persecution,” she addressed the team’s inquiry and provided insights that many readers would find valuable. Persecution refers to deliberate acts of harm or killing directed towards raptors, particularly in response to perceived threats posed by these birds to human activities or interests. This can include intentional poisoning, trapping, or other forms of direct harm inflicted upon raptors by humans, often due to misconceptions, fear, or conflicts over resources such as livestock. Persecution poses a significant threat to raptor populations and can have detrimental impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Darcy expressed concern over the detrimental consequences of retaliatory mass-poisoning events by livestock owners. In such instances, vultures and eagles often fall victim instead of the predators attacking livestock. This phenomenon has led to a decline in vulture populations, posing a severe threat to savanna ecosystems. If not mitigated, it could ultimately result in species extinction, ecosystem collapse, and increased risks to human well-being.
Furthermore, Darcy shared insights into the various vulture species found in Kenya, which include White-backed, White-headed, Rüppell’s, Lappet-faced, Hooded, Egyptian, Bearded (Lammergeier), and Palm-nut vultures.
The visit concluded with discussions between both parties exploring areas of synergy, particularly concerning LWF’s thematic areas of wildlife, restoration, and land-use management.
