Populations of vultures in Africa have experienced a rapid decline over recent decades, with some species suffering losses of more than 90%. Various forms of human pressures have been identified as the causes of this decline. However, very little is known about the complex interaction between cultural practises, traditional medicine and the vultures’ natural environment. The purpose of this study was to analyse human pressures on vultures in relation with cultural attitudes such as their demand for magico-traditional medicine in Côte d’Ivoire, around the Comoé National Park (CNP), one of the last major refuges of these organisms in West Africa. Eleven surrounding villages were visited to carry out ethno-ornithology surveys. One hundred and ten people were interviewed, at a rate of ten people per village, using a semi-structured questionnaire and informal discussions. The findings showed that vultures are still being seen both in and around the CNP. The most common species indicated to be observed and indicated by the interviewees were the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and the White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis). Nevertheless, 98.2% of the interviewees indicated having observed a decrease in the abundance of vultures over the last few years in the study area, as well as a decline in the number of sightings of these organisms. Interviewees attributed this scarcity of vultures to (1) the limited availability of food resources, (2) pesticide and tobacco poisoning, (3) hunting, (4) rapid population growth, (5) annual bushfires and (6) habitat loss. The uses of the vulture or parts of vultures by the populations surrounding the CNP (traditional medicine, mystic practises, consumption as food, cultural heritage) were also highlighted as real threats to these organisms. And the vulture parts commonly used in this area are: feathers, legs, head, heart, stomach, brain and excrement. The Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) appears to be the most sought-after species and the most widely used for these practises in the study area. Appropriate conservation and communication initiatives are required to ensure the survival of these raptors, crucial for ecosystem well-being, while also ensuring a respect of cultural practises.

中文翻译：

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科特迪瓦（西非）科莫埃国家公园周围的文化态度和人类对秃鹫的压力

近几十年来，非洲秃鹫的数量急剧下降，有些物种的数量减少了 90% 以上。各种形式的人类压力已被确定为这种下降的原因。然而，人们对文化习俗、传统医学和秃鹫自然环境之间复杂的相互作用知之甚少。本研究的目的是分析人类对秃鹫的压力与文化态度的关系，例如秃鹫对科特迪瓦科莫埃国家公园 (CNP) 周围神奇传统医学的需求，该公园是这些生物最后的主要避难所之一在西非。走访了周边十一个村庄，进行民族鸟类学调查。采用半结构化问卷和非正式讨论的方式对一百一十人进行了访谈，每个村庄十人。调查结果显示，在 CNP 及其周围仍然可以看到秃鹫。受访者表示观察和指出的最常见物种是头秃鹫 (Necrosyrtes monachus) 和白头秃鹫 (Trigonoceps occipitalis)。尽管如此，98.2%的受访者表示，在过去几年里，研究区域内秃鹫的数量有所减少，而且这些生物的目击数量也有所减少。受访者将秃鹫的稀缺归因于（1）食物资源有限，（2）农药和烟草中毒，（3）狩猎，（4）人口快速增长，（5）每年的丛林大火和（6）栖息地丧失。CNP 周围人群对秃鹫或秃鹫身体部位的使用（传统医学、神秘实践、作为食物消费、文化遗产）也被强调为对这些生物体的真正威胁。而该地区常用的秃鹫部位有：羽毛、腿、头、心脏、胃、大脑和排泄物。秃鹫（Necrosyrtes monachus）似乎是研究区域中最受欢迎的物种，也是此类活动中使用最广泛的物种。需要采取适当的保护和交流举措来确保这些猛禽的生存，这对生态系统的福祉至关重要，同时还要确保尊重文化习俗。