Vultures are a very important group of birds playing a pivotal role in cleaning up the environment and, therefore, maintaining ecological balance. Wildlife poisoning driven by the use of body parts in traditional medicine poses risks to human health and is killing threatened African vultures leading to significant population declines. Raising community awareness about vultures’ importance and threats is critical to conserving these species.
In the Meatu district, Simiyu region, vulture body parts are used for traditional belief practices. Nature Tanzania is implementing “An integrated approach to protect-ing wildlife from poisoning in Mara-Serengeti” project in Makao Wildlife Management Authority (WMA) funded by Darwin Initiative through BirdLife International. The project is expanding successful pilots to reduce poisoning by working with communities to address factors that threaten vultures and negatively impact communities. This will result in livelihood improvements through new sustainable livelihood
options.
To reduce vulture poisoning in traditional medicine, raising awareness for behavioural change targeting traditional healers and the larger community is very important. This approach can be very successful when traditional platforms are used. To achieve this, we participated in five Sukuma events, locally known as Mbina, to raise awareness. Mbina are annually convened between March and June to celebrate harvest seasons. Mbina also honours Sukuma traditions and beliefs, some of which are linked to the motivation to use plant and wildlife products in traditional medicine.
Between June and September 2024, we participated in 5 Mbina events in Itilima and Bariadi districts, Simiyu region. Through the efforts of 10 volunteers, more than 35,000 people and 1,200 traditional healers were reached with awareness raising for 8 days. The messages addressing the impacts of poisoning, illegal killing of birds, belief-based use of vultures, and call for action were communicated to traditional healers and the event spectators through posters and stickers. A total of 1,000 posters and 1,400 stickers, 2,700 bro-chures and 20 t-shirts were distributed. We also collaborated with the North Carolina Zoo during these events. Our participation increased the community’s understanding of protecting vultures from poisoning and belief-based use.
As part of this project, Nature Tanzania mobilised and engaged traditional healers in addressing the belief-based use of vulture parts. As a result, traditional healers identified Biophytum crassipes as a plant-based alternative. Since 2023, most traditional healers have been using this plant-based alternative in their traditional healing, therefore, reducing vulture body parts demand. At the same time, the project also supports livelihood alternatives for youths, women and men to reduce vulture poisoning pressure. Many youths poison vultures in order to sell vulture body parts to traditional healers for income. We appreciate Darwin Initiative for funding the project and
BirdLife International for technical support. Meatu District Council and Makao WMA are acknowledged for collaboration and support.
