Vulture decline 'could affect humans' Africa's vulture population is in danger from illegal elephant and rhino poachers, a South African conservation group is warning. VulPro - one of five projects being highlighted by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as patrons of Tusk Conservation Awards - says poachers poison the carcasses to prevent the vultures alerting wardens to the presence of a kill, with a single incident leading to the potential deaths of hundreds of vultures. Chief executive Kerri Wolter explains the impact a decline in vulture numbers could have on humans.