|
VCF co-coordenates Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP Vultures are a characteristic, distinctive and spectacular component of the earth´s biodiversity. They provide critically important ecosystem services: they are nature’s clean-up crew and this translates into significant economic benefits related to the health of both wild and domestic animals, and to humans. Most African-Eurasian vultures are undergoing drastic population declines, the majority now being formally classified as Critically Endangered, the highest risk of extinction in the wild. To prevent this, effective conservation action must be implemented or expanded across the range of these magnificent birds. The extensive, transnational movements made by vultures mean that their safety can only be guaranteed if countries come together and agree on a plan for their protection. This realisation, along with the steepness of the declines in most species, led to swift international agreement on the need to develop a Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP) under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The VCF was one of the co-coordinators of this plan and is in the CMS COP 12 to promote the need to endorse and implement the Vulture MsAP. The Vulture MsAP provides a comprehensive roadmap for the conservation of all 15 migratory Old World vultures. This includes 128 Range States, over most of the combined land masses of Africa and Eurasia. Its goal is to achieve the recovery of these populations to sustainable levels by 2029, with objectives to:
Vultures need a step-change in conservation action, led by Governments and supported by all stakeholders, including many who have so far not recognised these birds’ importance. Read the complete Vulture MsAP, together with a summary in several languages, can be accessed from the CMS website and here. |