Nepal’s vulture monitoring faces challenges

Fifteen years ago, there were an estimated 500,000 vultures in Nepal. However, vulture populations have declined by 90%, reports the Republica (February 25, 2013). Of the eight species of vultures found in Nepal, four have been listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as critically endangered birds.

Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) has been carrying out efforts to track white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) which are believed to be the most endangered species. The tracking is supported by the Nepali Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and the United Kingdom Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Five vultures fitted with satellite transmitters, released by BCN 23 months ago from Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts have been confirmed dead. Two years ago in 2011, BCN released juvenile white-rumped vultures. The BCN recovered the tag of one vulture six months ago and determined that it had not crossed the Indian border. The BCN is unsure when, where, and how the vultures met their death. The solar-powered transmitters stopped sending signals soon after the juvenile vultures were released. It is suspected that the vultures died of diclofenac-induced kidney failure after eating the carcasses of dead animals infested with the drug (used as a veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for cattle). However, this cannot be confirmed.

In 2007, BCN released five white-rumped vultures which died after a few months. They were tracked as far as Gujarat and Sikkim in India using battery fitted transmitters. The batteries work for two years.

The satellite tracking is costly because the BCN needs to buy the satellite space for a few years for long term tracking and monitoring of the vultures.

White-rumped vultures are the smallest of the Gyps vultures, weighing about 4.75 kilograms (10.5 pounds). They usually live for 50 years and are found in Nepal, India, Pakistan and southeast Asia.

Photo: Birdlife International (www.birdlife.org)

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