West African vultures (Accipitridae spp.)

Decision directed to Parties

Parties, West African range States and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are encouraged, subject to resources, to: a) collaborate in the conservation and restoration of West African vultures and support the implementation of the West Africa Vulture Conservation Action Plan, the regional implementation plan of the Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP) 2017-2029 of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), taking into consideration the findings of the Midterm implementation review of the MsAP; b) gather and exchange scientific knowledge and expertise on West African vultures, with a particular focus on: i) documenting the scale of vulture trade by surveying markets in and outside West Africa, and identifying inter-regional and international trade routes; ii) characterizing links between poisoning and trade in vultures, and contributing to the African Wildlife Poison Database; and iii) updating the conservation and population status information of West African vultures, and Gyps africanus (white-backed vultures), Gyps rueppellii (Rüppell’s vultures) and Torgos tracheliotus (lappet-faced vultures) in particular; and c) provide information to the Secretariat on the implementation of this Decision well in advance of the 34th meeting of the Animals Committee and the 81st meeting of the Standing Committee to assist it in its reporting to the Committees.