The deaths of more than 2,000 hooded vultures in Guinea-Bissau this year has been linked to superstitious rituals by a researcher.
Mohammed Henriques told the French public radio, RFI, that heads, legs and claws of the vultures are often used in the West African country for superstitious rituals.
He said many of the birds found dead from February were beheaded.
"The body parts of these birds are believed to bring good fortune and special powers," RFI quoted Mr Henriques as saying.
Toxicology reports had indicated that the birds had been poisoned by methiocarb, a pesticide banned in Europe.
Since the initial death of hundreds of hooded vultures in February, there have been other reported fatalities of the scavengers in the Bafata and Gabu regions in eastern Guinea-Bissau and in the Bissagos archipelago, west of the country.
Guinea-Bissau is home to around 22% of the critically endangered hooded vultures, according to Birdlife International.
Latest Stories
-
Empowering Girls in ICT: FAWE Ghana advocates for gender equality in the Tech sector
27 mins -
Rangnick ‘contacted by Bayern Munich’ about manager job
29 mins -
Winneba Youth Choir celebrates 35th Anniversary with Aseda Concert sponsored by Fidelity Bank
32 mins -
Bonwire residents reject Agya Koo’s endorsement of Ejisu NPP MP aspirant
40 mins -
SSNIT to run out of reserves due to deficits – ILO
45 mins -
Lagos officials eye Jospong Group’s eco-friendly waste management module
47 mins -
Photos: NDC outdoors Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate
48 mins -
Tevez released from hospital after chest pains
48 mins -
EU expresses confidence in Ghana’s rejection of Anti-LGBTQI legislation
53 mins -
UK to improve access to life-saving malaria drugs for the most-affected countries
1 hour -
Newey to leave Red Bull over Horner allegations
1 hour -
Fifa announces deal with Saudi oil company Aramco
1 hour -
Free SHS: It takes time to review a policy – Tsiboe-Darko
1 hour -
Spanish prosecutors ask judge to scrap case against PM Pedro Sánchez’s wife
1 hour -
Kwabena Fori releases ‘Let Me Go’ ahead of ‘Tuesday’ EP
1 hour