On September 6, 2025, dedicated Roots & Shoots volunteers Fionah and Genereuse, with support from Roots & Shoots Rwanda and in partnership with the Rwanda Animal Welfare Organization (RAWO), hosted a Vultures Day Awareness Campaign at Gataraga Market in Musanze District, Northern Province of Rwanda.
The campaign was held near the Gataraga abattoir, a habitat frequently visited by Hooded Vultures, and aimed to celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day, highlight the ecological importance of vultures, and engage the local community in their protection.
The theme of the day was:
“Vultures are FRIENDS of the environment. They give us good health and protect us from diseases. Let’s protect vultures to protect life. Vultures are friends, not enemies.”
Why Vultures Matter
Roots & Shoots Rwanda and RAWO emphasized that vultures play a critical role in ecosystems. By consuming dead animals, they prevent bad odors and stop the spread of harmful viruses or diseases into water sources and soil—helping safeguard human health.
Research presented during the event revealed a worrying trend: Rwanda’s vulture population has plummeted by 80%, from 3,000 individuals in 1960 to just 280 in 2022. With only five species of vultures remaining in the country, urgent action is needed to protect them.
