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Two new studies sharpen the conservation map for white-backed vultures in Ethiopia

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)
Conservation · Habitat protection

Two studies published in 2026 are adding unusually detailed information about where African white-backed vultures (Gyps africanus) use the landscape in southwest Ethiopia — information that could help target conservation for this critically endangered scavenger.

Map of white-backed vulture study sites in southwest Ethiopia
Study sites in southwest Ethiopia used in the field survey. Mamo et al. (2026), CC BY 4.0.

Field surveys recorded 1,150 white-backed vultures

One field study surveyed vultures between June 2024 and February 2025 at breeding areas, abattoirs and waste-disposal sites. Across 216 repeated survey observations, the researchers recorded a total of 1,150 white-backed vulture sightings. This is a summed count across repeated surveys, not 1,150 known unique individuals. Breeding sites held the largest share of observations, and the birds showed strong use of large native trees including Juniperus procera, Olea welwetschia and Podocarpus falcatus for nesting and roosting.

Adults made up almost 80% of the recorded birds. The authors interpret the relatively small proportion of younger vultures as a possible sign of recruitment problems.

Adult and juvenile African white-backed vultures photographed during the southwest Ethiopia study
Adult and juvenile African white-backed vultures photographed by Asrat Aero Mamo during the study in December 2024. Mamo et al. (2026), CC BY 4.0.

Habitat modelling identifies additional priority areas

A second 2026 study used GIS-based habitat-suitability modelling built from 11 ecological and human-pressure variables. The model classified 94.71% of its 131,782.57 km² study area as suitable to very highly suitable, including 59.47% as highly suitable and 4.79% as very highly suitable. These are modelled suitability classes rather than confirmed occupancy. Together, the two approaches provide both field observations and a broader spatial framework for deciding where habitat protection and threat reduction may have the greatest value.

The field study recommends protecting important nesting and roosting trees, managing food sources at abattoirs and waste sites, and continuing seasonal monitoring. The habitat model identifies additional areas in southwestern Ethiopia where conservation measures could be prioritised.

Sources and image credit

  1. Mamo, A. A., Gadisa, T., & Habtamu, T. (2026). Population status and habitat preferences of the critically endangered African white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) in Southwest Ethiopia Region. Ecology and Evolution, 16(7), e73730. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73730Primary peer-reviewed open-access field study, first published 1 July 2026; CC BY 4.0.
  2. Tefera, E. B., Stenseth, N. C., Alemu, T., Gemeda, D. O., Tessema, T. H., Belete, M., & Gutema, T. M. (2026). Mapping survival: Habitat suitability modeling for the African white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) in Southwestern Ethiopia using GIS-based multi-criteria decision making. Scientific African, 33, e03582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03582Primary open-access habitat-suitability study, available online 19 August 2026.

Image: Bernard DUPONT — African white-backed vulture photographed north of Crocodile Bridge in Kruger National Park, South Africa; representative main image. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

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