Hooded vulture observed near to human habitat in transboundary park of W. © Samson Dognimon, 2022

In Benin, a recent Local Ecological Knowledge-based study on the geographic distribution and the supply chain of vulture trade revealed five species (Hooded vulture, White-backed vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, White-headed Vulture and Rüppell's Vulture) distributed between the two national park of Pendjari and W, and the two northern forest reserve. Among these protected areas, the “trois rivières” forest reserve is the only one and largest occurrence habitat secured (not visited by terrorists). However, within this last habitat under secured conditions, there is a deficit of ecological data and the vulture’s populations unknown. Vulture species are under traditional threats such as agricultural encroachment, illegal logging, firewood collection, illegal hunting and overgrazing (Dognimon et al. in prep.).

The proposed project aims to fill the deficit of prerequisite data using conventional methods and LEK, essential for assessing their conservation status, consequently their effective in-situ conservation. Specifically, the project aims to: (i) investigate the current distribution of vultures in the “Trois Rivières” forest, (ii) assess the habitat characteristics of active and abandoned breeding sites of vultures, (iii) identify the threats face by vultures in their natural habitat and (iv) assess the transhuman perceptions of vultures. These data are prerequisite for enlightened conservation actions.

To achieve our objectives, we will use the permanent transects established after the last wildlife census by ‘’Projet Forêt Classée’’ to conduct vulture census using a combination of two methods: the line transect and the point transect. During the vulture census, forest inventory will be done and data such as vegetation cover and other anthropogenic activities will be recorded, at each recorded breeding colony site. To complete data on transhuman perceptions regarding population abundance and threats, interviews with transhumans, and sedentary breeders will be conducted to evaluate people’s perceptions on vultures in Benin. The findings of the study will be used to promote the effective conservation measures of vultures in Benin via poster-based awareness campaigns.