NEW DELHI: Three nests of the severely endangered red-headed vulture had been found this month in Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia, the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has stated.
The inhabitants of this species is perhaps not up to 50 in Cambodia. These nest discoveries give hope that conservation efforts may save this species from extinction.
Global vulture populations are declining at an alarming rate.
Cambodia's 3 vulture species -- red-headed, slender-billed and white-rumped -- are all listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as severely endangered, indicating an overly prime chance of extinction within the wild.
Cambodia supports the largest inhabitants of vultures in Southeast Asia, however there are just a few hundred vultures left within the country, say experts.
India is house to four severely endangered vulture species -- the red-headed, white-rumped, long-billed and slender-billed; two close to threatened species -- bearded and Himalayan griffon; and one endangered -- the Egyptian vulture.
The cinereous vulture, a wintering migrant to India from Europe, is also facing the specter of extinction.
BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) attributes the decline of those scavenging birds that lend a hand in maintaining the ecological stability within the nature to the intensive use of diclofenac in treating farm animals. The vultures that fed on the carcasses of animals handled with diclofenac died with signs of kidney failure.
As a part of SAVE (Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction), the BNHS is breeding endangered vulture species in captivity in 3 centres in India. It's also later making plans their reintroduction into the wild.
Similarly, as a part of the Bird's Nest Protection Programme, the WCS has hired six neighborhood participants to protect the nests of those vultures.
Local people are now incentivised to protect the severely endangered species till their eggs hatch and the chicks are able to depart the nest -- versus taking the chicks to sell.
"I am eager to protect vulture nests because I can generate income to support my family and I'm able to join in conserving this species that is now very rare," stated Soeng Sang, a red-headed vulture nest protector.
"I have spent much of my time staying near the nest site to prevent any disturbances or harm. I am committed to saving this bird for the next generation."
Increased ranges of hunting, forest loss and land conversion, land encroachment and selective logging negatively affect the birds thru loss of nesting sites and aid in prey availability.
In addition, a minimum of 30 vultures had been killed during the last five years in Cambodia due to well-liked indiscriminate use of deadly poisons via villagers in and around water sources to catch birds and different small mammals, which is seriously affecting the vulture inhabitants.
"The red-headed vulture is a very rare species; they are facing a high risk of extinction," WCS' Vulture Project Coordinator in Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary, Tan Sophan, stated.
"Besides nest protection, we also organise 'vulture restaurants' to feed vultures every month."
Vulture eating places are sites where the birds are periodically supplied supplementary feedings. This activity is a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishery and a consortium of NGOs, and also doubles as a device to raise consciousness of their importance to the landscape and human health.
"In addition, tourists visiting the restaurant with Sam Veasna Centre have significantly contributed to saving the species and improving local livelihoods," Sophan added.
The inhabitants of this species is perhaps not up to 50 in Cambodia. These nest discoveries give hope that conservation efforts may save this species from extinction.
Global vulture populations are declining at an alarming rate.
Cambodia's 3 vulture species -- red-headed, slender-billed and white-rumped -- are all listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as severely endangered, indicating an overly prime chance of extinction within the wild.
Cambodia supports the largest inhabitants of vultures in Southeast Asia, however there are just a few hundred vultures left within the country, say experts.
India is house to four severely endangered vulture species -- the red-headed, white-rumped, long-billed and slender-billed; two close to threatened species -- bearded and Himalayan griffon; and one endangered -- the Egyptian vulture.
The cinereous vulture, a wintering migrant to India from Europe, is also facing the specter of extinction.
BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) attributes the decline of those scavenging birds that lend a hand in maintaining the ecological stability within the nature to the intensive use of diclofenac in treating farm animals. The vultures that fed on the carcasses of animals handled with diclofenac died with signs of kidney failure.
As a part of SAVE (Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction), the BNHS is breeding endangered vulture species in captivity in 3 centres in India. It's also later making plans their reintroduction into the wild.
Similarly, as a part of the Bird's Nest Protection Programme, the WCS has hired six neighborhood participants to protect the nests of those vultures.
Local people are now incentivised to protect the severely endangered species till their eggs hatch and the chicks are able to depart the nest -- versus taking the chicks to sell.
"I am eager to protect vulture nests because I can generate income to support my family and I'm able to join in conserving this species that is now very rare," stated Soeng Sang, a red-headed vulture nest protector.
"I have spent much of my time staying near the nest site to prevent any disturbances or harm. I am committed to saving this bird for the next generation."
Increased ranges of hunting, forest loss and land conversion, land encroachment and selective logging negatively affect the birds thru loss of nesting sites and aid in prey availability.
In addition, a minimum of 30 vultures had been killed during the last five years in Cambodia due to well-liked indiscriminate use of deadly poisons via villagers in and around water sources to catch birds and different small mammals, which is seriously affecting the vulture inhabitants.
"The red-headed vulture is a very rare species; they are facing a high risk of extinction," WCS' Vulture Project Coordinator in Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary, Tan Sophan, stated.
"Besides nest protection, we also organise 'vulture restaurants' to feed vultures every month."
Vulture eating places are sites where the birds are periodically supplied supplementary feedings. This activity is a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishery and a consortium of NGOs, and also doubles as a device to raise consciousness of their importance to the landscape and human health.
"In addition, tourists visiting the restaurant with Sam Veasna Centre have significantly contributed to saving the species and improving local livelihoods," Sophan added.
Three nests of rare vulture species spotted in Cambodia
![Three nests of rare vulture species spotted in Cambodia]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 31, 2018
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