By Madiba Singhateh and Hatab Nyang
Conservationists have raised alarm following the discovery of dozens of decapitated vultures in Somita, a village in Foni Beret, West Coast Region, in what is now the latest in a string of disturbing vulture killings across the country.
Reports reaching Foroyaa on Thursday, 7th August, revealed that the vultures were found dead with their heads cut off — a pattern consistent with earlier incidents recorded in Gunjur, Tintinto, and Bonto. Environmentalists say these recurring events are deeply troubling and threaten the survival of one of The Gambia’s most ecologically significant bird species.
Two suspects have been captured at the Bwiam Police Station, to deputy Director of Parks/Wildlife Mawdo Jallow told Foroyaa.
Seeku Janko of the Coalition of Gambia Environmental Organisations expressed outrage over the killings. “We are very sad and disheartened about the recent killing of vultures which started in Gunjur, Brufut, Bonto, and now Somita,” he said. “We can say that in the past months, the number of dead vultures registered is close to a hundred.”
Janko emphasized the importance of vultures to the environment. “Vultures are scavengers. They clean the environment by feeding on dead carcasses. They help control pests like rats and squirrels and prevent the spread of disease,” he explained.
Beyond their ecological role, Janko added that vultures are culturally significant. “They can guide people. If you see them moving in a certain direction, they might be pointing you toward human activity or settlement.”
He warned that the killings may be connected to traditional medicine or commercial motives. “We found out that people are using vulture parts for medicine and other forbidden things. But killing them on a mass scale is unacceptable,” he said. “Nobody should kill vultures — the Wildlife Act prohibits it.”
Janko urged communities to be vigilant and help stop the killings. “We call on all villagers and Alkalos to catch those involved in this. Whoever poisons vultures can also poison humans. These are serious crimes.”
Appealing to Gambians at large, he added: “Wildlife and all other animals deserve to live among us. God didn’t only create humans but other creatures too. They have a right to live.”
Pa Gimba Camara, of the West Africa Bird Study Association (WABSA), said he could not confirm the species involved but suspected they were Hooded Vultures — a species native to West Africa and classified as critically endangered.
WABSA later posted a statement on their social media page confirming the incident in Somita. “This is the fourth such incident in the West Coast Region, raising serious concerns among the local community and conservationists,” the post read. “All of the vultures’ heads were found cut off, indicating potential illegal activities or deliberate poisoning.”
The group reported that members of the Federation of Somita Youth WhatsApp group had shared alarming updates and are calling for urgent intervention.
“These repeated occurrences may threaten the local vulture population and disrupt the ecosystem. Authorities and conservation organizations need to investigate these incidents promptly to prevent further losses and identify those responsible,” WABSA stated.
