A comprehensive study conducted over 16 years in South Africa has revealed alarming trends in raptor populations, with 50% of the assessed species experiencing significant declines. The research, based on nearly 400,000 km of road counts by Ronelle Visagie for the Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, found that 42% of the raptors studied declined by over 50%. Notably, all three migratory species assessed—the lesser kestrel, amur falcon, and steppe buzzard—showed declines that align with similar trends observed in their breeding grounds. While some species like the white-backed vulture are increasing, the overall findings raise serious conservation concerns, particularly for species not currently listed as threatened. The study highlights the need for effective monitoring and urgent conservation actions to address these declines, especially as human populations in Africa are projected to grow by 79% over the next three decades, further intensifying pressures on biodiversity. The study calls for a reassessment of conservation statuses and better monitoring tools to understand the impact of human activities and climate change on these vulnerable species.