Culture and the illegal trade in vultures in southwestern Nigeria: conundrums and recommendations.

The illegal wildlife trade problem is worldwide in scope, affecting biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing. However, the has cultural dimensions. In addition to economic gain, influences drive trade. This paper examines drivers of vultures southwestern Nigeria, a pressing but understudied example which believed be major driver population declines West Africa. Semi-structured interviews revealed that Yoruba communities Nigeria have practiced belief-based use for generations, with participation vulture passed vertically within families horizontally between unrelated persons. Vulture products are used range purposes, from healing spiritual protection or good fortune. beliefs underlying strong syncretic religious component evolved primordial myths based on behavioural morphological characteristics vultures. We propose potential interventions include re-establishing existing social norms forbid killing engaging leaders discourage