南非野生動物組織最近發出警告稱，南非禿鷲正在因為賭球者的大量獵殺而面臨絕跡。在南非當地，盛行將禿鷲腦髓曬干卷成煙卷抽，認為這能帶來預知未來的超自然能力。為了能預測世界杯的比賽結果，從而下注贏利，當地人大量獵殺禿鷲獲取腦髓。南非東部地區一個野生動物組織表示，這種活動可能讓南非禿鷲半個世紀內在一些地區絕跡。最壞的可能是，南非禿鷲將在12年內遭遇種群危機。該組織還表示，當地人在獵殺禿鷲時使用的涕滅威毒性很大，對人類也有致命的危險。

Muti magic could accelerate the decline in rare Cape vultures.

South Africa's vultures are being pushed into extinction by gamblers who believe smoking their dried brains will give them special powers, wildlife organizations have warned.

While British fans study the form book and the back pages, some South Africans believe the "muti" magic will help them predict football match results.

And they are hoping the World Cup will be a great opportunity for a big win.

Conservationists fear the birds, which are already facing global extinction, will be further threatened by the superstition.

Executive director of BirdLife South Africa, Mark Anderson, said: "Many vulture species across the world are in trouble.

"Our very own species in southern Africa is declining sharply for a number of reasons, including reduced food availability, deliberate poisoning and electrocution from electricity pylons.

"The harvesting of the bird's heads by followers of muti magic is an additional threat these birds can't endure."

The RSPB's Dr Chris Magin said: "One in every six of the world's birds of prey are facing extinction and during the past two decades vultures have virtually vanished from West Africa, South Asia and other parts of the world."

Steve McKean, from KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, studies the affect of vultures due to muti magic.

Within half a century, the Cape vulture could become extinct in some parts of South Africa because of this "so-called 'traditional' use" of the bird, he said.

"In the worst case, the Cape vulture could be suffering population collapse within 12 years," he said.

There are 841 species of birds recorded in South Africa but 39 of these are considered threatened with global extinction.

Conservationists say most vultures killed for muti magic are poisoned with aldicarb, which is also lethal to humans.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）