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 Vulture Conservation |
| The population collapse of resident Gyps vulture species in South Asia, caused by the use of a veterinary drug diclofenac, has highlighted an urgent need to monitor numbers of other vulture species in the region. This organization is being involved in monitoring of Himalayan Griffon and Bearded Vulture in Upper Mustang of Nepal. |
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Programs completed |
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- Monitoring of raptors in Upper Mustang in Nepal (2002-2005),
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The main objective of the study was to find out the status of Himalayan Griffon Gyps
himalayensis and conservation attitude of local inhabitants. The status of Himalayan Griffon
based on transect count, nest observation, carcass number and vulture number in funeral sites read more..... |
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- Support for conducting Vulture photo exhibition
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FON Nepal partially supported Mr. Krishmani Baral to organise a vulture photo exhibition from April 25 to April 29, 2009. The theme of the program was “Save Vulture, Save Environment”. A total of 50 photos of 6 species of vultures were on display during the exhibition. The exhibition was held in Babarmahal art gallery, Kathmandu. |
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- Publication of journal paper in Bird Conservation International
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Rapid population declines of Himalayan Griffon
Gyps himalayensis in Upper Mustang, Nepal
Acharya,R.,Cthbert,R.,Baral, H.S.,Shah, K.B.2009. Rapid population declines of Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis in Upper Mustang, Nepal. Bird Conservation International, 19:99-107. doi:10.1017/S0959270908007417 |
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Summary
The population collapse of resident Gyps vulture species in South Asia, caused by the use of
a veterinary drug diclofenac, has highlighted an urgent need to monitor numbers of other
vulture species in the region. This study assessed population trends of Himalayan Griffon Gyps
himalayensis in the mountainous region of Upper Mustang, Nepal, which is an important
breeding area for the species. Vultures were surveyed in 2002, 2004 and 2005 by recording the
number of birds sighted along 188 km of transects, and observing numbers of birds at breeding
colonies. The number of birds recorded per day and per kilometre of transect declined by 67%
and 70%respectively over the period of study. The number of active nests declined by 84%from
2002 to 2005. The veterinary drug diclofenac was available in pharmacies in the Mustang region.
Young Himalayan Griffons, which migrate to the lowland areas of Nepal and, in increasing
numbers to India, are highly likely to be subject to diclofenac poisoning. If this rate of population
decline occurs throughout the Himalayan region, the conservation status of the species will need
to be urgently reassessed.
Contact for detail paper: rajuhugu_13@yahoo.com
Read species profile and summary about paper
Researcher at the baiting site
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Programs being continued |
- Monitoring of vulture in sky burial site in Upper Mustang.
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If a local person dies, the Lama, who are the special religious leader and respected holy person of the area decides how to carry out the funeral rites. A few specific caste like Bista usually burn the small portion of dead body part but the major caste of the area, like Gurung which constitutes more than 90% population chops down the dead body in many fine pieces and offer to vultures. Lama invites the vulture by praying and blowing his trumpet or bell. If vultures do not visit the corpse it is believed that the person has committed some great sins during his/her life time. In respect of location there are two funeral sites used in summer and winter season separately. Choppers are well trained people enriched also by their own experience. Such funeral rites are prohibited in agricultural harvesting season (extreme climate change if they do so) so the body is chopped into many pieces and thrown to river. Thus instead of vulture the dead body is offered to aquatic life. Local people, who all are Buddhist in religion, believe that vulture take the soul of dead person in the heaven. FON Nepal is collecting information from a site from the Upper Mustang Nepal.
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- Monitoring of Himalayan Griffon and Bearded Vulture in Upper Mustang (next monitoring will be conducted in July-August 2010).
- Publication of vulture conservation brochures
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Future Programs |
- Establish new site in Manang district for vulture monitoring
- Documentation of ethno-vulture information from the area
- Conduct vulture conservation programs in schools
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Copyright © www.fonnepal.org 2005 |
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