Residents of Bonto Kuta village in the Kombo East district are raising alarm following the discovery of more than eleven dead vultures over the weekend, all found without their heads.
The grim scene has left many in the West Coast Region community both disturbed and puzzled, with suspicions ranging from poisoning to spiritual activity. The decapitated birds were discovered in different parts of the village, sparking fear and speculation about what might have caused their deaths.
Lamin Jabang, Chairperson of the Bonto Kuta Village Development Committee (VDC), expressed deep concern over the strange incident. Speaking to local media, Jabang recalled a similar unsettling occurrence during the 2021 presidential elections.
“The species dead with their heads missing cannot be a natural issue,” he said. “This is unusual, and I don’t believe it’s something ordinary. The last time I saw something like this was during the 2021 polls.”
The first person to come across the dead vultures was Amadou Jarjue, a local resident. At first, he thought the birds might have ingested something poisonous. But that theory quickly changed once he noticed they were all missing their heads.
“I thought maybe they were poisoned,” Jarjue said. “But when I saw the heads were gone, that’s when I started thinking maybe this has spiritual links. If it was natural, their heads would still be there.”
The community has been left unsettled by the incident, unsure of whether they’re dealing with a criminal act, a health risk, or something they can’t yet explain. Several villagers have called for an official investigation, urging authorities and environmental officials to step in and examine the remains.
Vultures, though often seen as pests, play a critical role in the ecosystem by disposing of carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Mass deaths of these birds, especially under strange circumstances, could have environmental and public health implications.
As of now, no official investigation has been launched, but the villagers are hoping that wildlife and security authorities will step in soon to help determine what happened and why.
For now, the people of Bonto Kuta remain wary, waiting for answers as the mystery continues to unfold.