The Conference of the Parties of the Convention for Migratory Species (CMS) has endorsed the listing of two species of Vultures to their Appendix 1 – which comprises species that have been assessed as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
The White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis), the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), the White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus), the Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) and the Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) were proposed by Kenya, while the Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), the Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) and the Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) were proposed by India and Pakistan. The lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) was proposed by Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Parties to the CMS shall endeavor to strictly protect species on Annex I by prohibiting the taking of such species; conserving and where appropriate restoring their habitats; preventing, removing or mitigating obstacles to their migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.
These excellent news for old world vultures come soon after the COP endorsed for approval, with full consensus, the vulture MsaP, a milestone plan to conserve African Eurasian vultures, and that the VCF has co-developed.
All in all, very good news for vultures, which are now in the center of the CMS conservation agenda.
