Vultures provide essential ecological services, yet are amongst the world's most threatened species with populations having declined by more than 95% within ten years in some places. The biggest factor causing this decline is the use of poison, either intentionally or unintentionally. Other factors causing declines are collision with and electrocution by powerlines, illegal harvesting for traditional medicines, habitat loss and drowning in reservoirs. Namibia is home to six species of vulture, one of them, the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), is considered nationally extinct since there have been no confirmed sightings of this bird in the recent past. The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is considered critically endangered in Namibia due to the extremely small population and probably does not breed in the country anymore. Two species are listed as endangered. One of them, the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), is at the limit of its natural distribution in Namibia and its preference for mesic woodlands means that it is restricted to northeastern Namibia. The second species is the most common vulture in Namibia, the White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). Being the most numerous vulture has been their downfall though as populations of this species have suffered massive declines due to deliberate poisoning by commercial poachers, especially in north-eastern Namibia. The remaining two species are categorised as vulnerable. Again, one of them, the White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis), is at the limit of its natural distribution in the woodlands of north-eastern Namibia. On the other hand, the Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), is widely spread throughout Namibia, and the country is considered one of the strong-holds of this species. There are three projects that can be used to quantify the status of Namibia's vultures: the bird atlas, ringing and road counts.