Abu Dhabi, UAE, 27 October 2016 - The first regional workshop to develop a Multi-species Action Plan to conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP) took place from 18 to 21 October in Dakar, Senegal. Government representatives, partners and stakeholders met to promote international cooperation in order to halt the recent rapid population declines of vultures - one of the most endangered groups of birds on Earth.

Guided by the Coordinating Unit of the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU), the workshop was organized by BirdLife International.  It brought together delegates from the majority of the African Range States within the scope of the Vulture MsAP.

Key discussions focused on the current conservation status and trends of the ten species of vultures that occur on the African continent. A detailed threat analysis was also conducted followed by facilitated discussions to identify the conservation actions and solutions needed to address the threats.

Vultures are threatened by a wide range of human activities, including direct and indirect poisoning, habitat loss and degradation, decreasing food availability, fragmentation of remaining populations and human disturbance. These spectacular birds of prey provide essential ecosystem services as scavengers. They feed on carcasses that would otherwise pose a disease risk to the health of people and livestock. Vultures inhabit vast home ranges, frequently crossing political boundaries, therefore international cooperation is key to their conservation.

Given the alarming decreases in vulture numbers, the mandate to develop the Vulture MsAP under the Raptors MOU was established in November 2014 by CMS Parties via Resolution 11.14.  The mission is to bring together representatives of Range States, partners and interested parties, to develop a coordinated Action Plan, with the aim of:

• Halting current population declines in all fifteen species covered by the Vulture MsAP;
• Reversing recent population trends to bring the conservation status of each species back to a favourable level; and,
• Providing conservation management guidelines applicable to all the 124 Range States covered by the Vulture MsAP.

Two more Regional Workshops are planned to promote the development of a comprehensive Vulture MsAP.  A workshop covering Europe is taking place from 25 to 29 October in Spain and one covering the Asian region will be held in India from 29 to 30 November.  An Overarching Workshop is also planned to be held early next year to stitch the regional components into a single cohesive Vulture MsAP. The dates and venue for the Overarching Workshop will be announced shortly.