Priority areas for vulture conservation in the Horn of Africa largely fall outside the protected area network

Summary Vulture populations are in severe decline across Africa and prioritization of geographic areas for their conservation is urgently needed. To do so, we compiled three independent datasets on vulture occurrence from road-surveys, GPS-tracking, citizen science (eBird), used maximum entropy to build ensemble species distribution models (SDMs). We then identified spatial priorities Ethiopia, a stronghold vultures Africa, while accounting uncertainty our predictions. were able robust five the entirety including Critically Endangered, one Near Threatened species. show that occur highlands which provide particularly important habitat Bearded Gypaetus barbatus , Hooded Necrosyrtes monachus Rüppell’s Gyps rüppelli White-backed africanus Vultures, as well lowlands north-eastern valuable Egyptian Neophron percnopterus . One-third core was protected, followed by at one-sixth, all other one-tenth. Overall, only about one-fifth priority protected. Given there limited protection range widely, argue measures broad legislative scope will be necessary address drivers declines, poisoning, energy infrastructure, climate change, considering local social context aiding sustainable development.