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Proceedings of the Regional Symposium on Vulture Conservation in Asia 30 May 2016, Karachi, Pakistan
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Proceedings of the
Regional Symposium on
Vulture Conservation in Asia 30 May 2016, Karachi, Pakistan
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Contents
Call for Papers 5
Agenda 8
Paper 1: An overview of recent advances and priorities for vulture
conservation in the South Asia region 10
Abstract 10
Background and the formation of the SAVE consortium partnership 10
SAVE Blueprint and annually reviewed priorities 11
SAVE priorities for Asian vulture conservation for 2016 11
A call to action for emerging priority threats to vultures in the region – Veterinary NSAIDs... 12
Aceclofenac 12
Nimesulide 13
Ketoprofen 13
Diclofenac 13
Wider solutions 13
References 14
Paper 2: Vulture Conservation initiatives of WWF-Pakistan 15
Executive Summary 15
Introduction 16
WWF-Pakistan supported vulture studies prior to the GVRP 16
Conservation of Vultures in District Mianwali: a feasibility study 16
Under the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project, the following activities have been conducted so far:
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Ex situ Conservation: 17
In situ Conservation (Vulture Safe Zone, Nagar Parkar) 17
Plans for 2016 - 2017 20
References: 21
Paper 3: Status and distribution of vultures in Sindh 22
Abstract 22
Introduction 22
Distribution of Vultures in Pakistan 23
Materials and Methods 24
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Potential Sites 27
Conclusion 30
Priority Actions 31
Acknowledgements: 31
Paper 4: Establishment and management of community-based
Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) in Bangladesh 33
Vulture Safe Zone Declaration Process in Bangladesh 34
Population Census 35
Pharmacy Survey 36
Institutional Mechanism 37
Conclusion 37
References 38
Paper 5: A decade of vulture conservation in Nepal 39
Abstract 39
Introduction 39
Conservation actions in Nepal 40
In-situ Conservation 40
Ex-situ Conservation 41
Achievements 42
Conclusions and Recommendations 43
References 44
Paper 6: Impact of vulture conservation efforts in western lowlands
Terai of Nepal 46
Abstract 46
Introduction 47
Methods 47
Study Area 47
Data Collection Methods 47
Results 48
Current Population of Vultures in Lowlands 48
Nesting Status of Resident and Seasonal Visitors of Nepal 49
Habitat use by vulture species of Nepal in the Lowlands 49
Tree Species Used by Vultures for Roosting 49
Tree Species Use by the WRV for Nesting 50
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Results from Household Questionnaire Survey 51
Local people’s opinion: Vulture Conservation Initiatives 51
Awareness level on harmful impact of veterinary drug Diclofenac 51
Use of Diclofenac for treating livestock 51
Status of vulture after the launch of conservation programs 52
Forest product collection and environmental changes in locality after VCPs 52
Discussion 52
Population Trend of Vultures in the Lowlands 52
Nesting Trend of Vulture in Lowland 53
Habitat Use by Vulture Species 53
Awareness Level of the Local People regarding Vulture Conservation 54
Opportunities and livelihood support provided by VCPs 54
Conclusion 54
Recommendations 55
Acknowledgement 55
References 56
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Call for Papers
Call for Papers
Regional Symposium on Vulture Conservation in Asia
Introduction:
Vultures appeared on earth 40-50 million years ago. Fossil records found from Argentina show that
the ancient vultures had wingspan of 23 feet (7 meters). Vultures remained part of ancient beliefs and
folklore and were much respected in Pharaohs’ era and today vultures are also considered as integral
part of some cultures in South Asia and Africa.
Globally 23 species of vultures are found which are further divided into two groups new world vultures
(7 Species) and old world vultures (16 species) and are generally called as falconiforms. New world
vultures are found from southern Canada to the tip of Southern America. Old vultures are found in
Africa, Europe and Asia. Vultures make their home in every continent except Antarctica. Old world
vultures and new world vultures use the same ecological niche. Nine species of vultures are found in
South Asian countries and among these eight species are found in Pakistan.
Vultures in wild can live up to 38 years and in captivity they can live up to 42 years. Vultures are large,
short-tailed, solitary birds and are part of the group of “birds of prey”, specialized in eating the bodies
of the dead animals therefore have adaptations or skills suited to the scavenger way of life. Vultures
migrate over large geographical ranges, and therefore their conservation and protection in their
habitats through which they travel, feed and nest is essential.
Vultures are valued for their ecological, social and cultural significance. Vultures scavenge on
animal carcasses/carrion, thereby helping keep the earth, water resources and environment
clean. Vultures provide prime ecosystem services as top cleaners in cities, villages, and countryside.
It was noticed back in the nineties that vultures were disappearing from the landscapes, skies and
rotting carrions were not being attended to by these scavengers. Out of nine species four have been
listed as critically endangered on IUCN Red list. South Asia’s populations of long-billed vulture (Gyps
indicus), slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) have
declined by more than 90 per cent since the early 1990s. Vultures have appeared to be one of the
fastest declining bird species in the world.
The mystery was unfolded by a research study conducted in Dholewala and Changa Manga forest
during 2000-2001 by the Ornithological Society of Pakistan, which confirmed the use of “Diclofenac
sodium” (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in the livestock sector as the main cause of vulture
death, and therefore a speedy decline in the vulture population.
Responding to the situation, the manufacturing and use of veterinary Diclofenac has been banned in
India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. In Pakistan, the ban was imposed in 2006 and an alternative
veterinary drug ‘Meloxicam’ was registered. In 2012, IUCN supported in constitution of Asia Regional
Steering Committee which was followed by a National Vulture Recovery Committee notified by the
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Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, to improve national level coordination for saving
the endangered vulture species.
IUCN Pakistan in collaboration with Baanhn Beli under the ‘Preparation of Nation Vulture
Conservation Strategy Project, which is funded by USAID Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund
Program, is organizing a Regional Symposium on Vultures tentatively in last of week of May 2016 in
Karachi, Pakistan. The project is being implemented with the collaboration of Ministry of Climate
Change, Government of Pakistan, and Sindh Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh.
The Regional Symposium will invite experts from the regional countries in Asia involved in vulture
conservation for sharing their experiences and lessons learnt in vulture conservation, and to explore
opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation in conservation of vultures and their habitats.
The papers presented at the workshop will be published in the form of proceedings and uploaded on the websites of IUCN (www.iucn.org). The tentative Symposium schedule consists of an inaugural session followed by technical sessions and a closing session. 2. Aims and objectives:
i. Sharing of knowledge, experiences and lessons learnt in vulture conservation at the regional
level.
ii. Explore opportunities for regional cooperation in conservation of vultures and their habitats.
iii. Create awareness on importance of vultures and threats facing them.
3. Call for Abstracts and selection of papers and presenters:
The potential keynote speakers and presenters from regional countries and nationally, are invited to
submit papers on the following workshop themes:
i. Conservation of vultures.
ii. Ecology and breeding biology.
iii. Socio-economic value
iv. Education, awareness, advocacy.
v. Population dynamics, migration patterns and monitoring.
vi. Management, policy and legislation.
The interested speakers and presenters shall submit abstracts (of about 500 words). The abstracts
should contain the following information:
Name
Title of the Paper
Brief introduction to the research topic
Method of research
Main findings and discussion
The abstracts must be received by IUCN focal point by 27 March, 2016. The abstracts must be submitted in English. The abstracts should be submitted through e-mail at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] by the deadline.
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4. Evaluation of Abstracts and Submission of Full Papers
The abstracts will be evaluated by a panel of experts (the Scientific Committee) which will decide on the acceptance of the abstracts. High quality abstracts will be selected by the Scientific Committee. The deadline for submission of full papers is 17 April, 2016. The authors of selected papers will be invited to present their papers at the Symposium. 5. Financial Assistance
Limited numbers of full or partial sponsorships are available for participants from regional countries to cover costs of their economy air travel, stay and food during the workshop. Priority will be given to those who will be presenting papers at the Symposium, and particularly to those participants who are able to cover costs of their participation in the Symposium partially or fully. 6. Medical Insurance:
The participants are requested to make their own arrangements regarding medical insurance. IUCN undertakes no responsibility in respect to life, accident, travel, medical or any insurance coverage of the participants. 7. Contact:
In case of any queries, please feel free to contact us: Nadeem Mirbahar Natural Resource Management Coordinator /Symposium Coordinator IUCN Pakistan IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 1 Bath Island Road, Karachi 75530, Pakistan Tel. +92 21 35861540-2; Fax +92 21 35861448 Mobile: + 92 303 3335766 Email: [email protected] or Ghulam Qadir Shah MFF Pakistan National Coordinator/Symposium Supervisor IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
1 Bath Island Road Karachi, Pakistan
Tel. + 92 21 3586 1540–42; Fax + 92 21 3586 1448;
Mobile: + 92 303 3335764
Email: [email protected]
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Agenda
AGENDA
REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON
VULTURE CONSERVATION IN ASIA MONDAY, 30 MAY 2016
KARACHI PAKISTAN
Inaugural Session
9:30 – 10:00 Inaugural Registration and networking
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan
10:05 – 10:15 Vulture Project Overview Mohammad Khan Mari, Baanhn Beli Nadeem Mirbahar, IUCN Pakistan
10:15 – 10:25 Documentary Mr. Danish Rashdi, Program Coordinator IUCN Pakistan
10:25 – 10:35 Regional perspective on Vultures Dr. Scott Perkin, Head, Natural Resources Group, IUCN Asia
10:35 – 10:45 Remarks by Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji Regional Director, IUCN Asia
10:45– 10:55 Remarks by Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Secretary Ministry of Climate Change, Islamabad
10:55– 11:05 Speech by Chief Guest Senator, Mr. Saleem Zia Member Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change
11:05 – 11:10 Vote of Thanks Mr. Danish Rashdi, Program Coordinator IUCN Pakistan
11:10 – 11:05 Group Photo
11:05 – 11:25 Tea/Refreshments
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TECHNICAL SESSION 1:
Chair: Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Secretary Ministry of Climate Change, Islamabad
Co-chair: Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji Regional Director, IUCN Asia
Rapporteur: Dr. Scott Perkin, Head, Natural Resources Group, IUCN Asia
11:25-11:55* Paper 1: “Conservation priorities for vulture
conservation in Asia” Dr. Chris Bowden, United Kingdom/ Dr. Scott Perkin, Head, Natural Resources Group, IUCN Asia t
11:55-12:25* Paper 2: The review of vulture conservation
work of WWF-Pakistan Dr. Uzma Khan/ Ms. Warda Javed
WWF-Pakistan
12:25-12:55* Paper 3: Status of Vultures in Sindh Dr. Syed Ali Ghalib/Dr. Fehmida Firdous, Pakistan
12:55-14:00 Lunch
TECHNICAL SESSION 2:
Chair: Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General Forests, MoCC, Isalamad
Co-chair: Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, Country Representative IUCN Bangladesh
Rapporteur: Dr. N M Ishwar, Programme Coordinator , IUCN India Office
14:00-14:30* Paper 4: Conservation Efforts in Saving the
Critically Endangered Gyps species of Vultures in India
Dr. Vibhu Prakash/ Dr. N M Ishwar India
14:30-15:00* Paper 5: Establishment and Management of
Community-based Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) in Bangladesh
Mr. A.B.M. Sarowar Alam, Bangladesh
15:00-15:30* Paper 6: A review on vulture conservation
actions in Nepal Mr. Khadananda Paudel, Nepal
15:30-16:00* Paper 7: Impact of vulture conservation efforts
in western lowlands Terai of Nepal Mr. Surya Man Shrestha, Nepal
SESSION 3: Closing Ceremony
16:00-16:10 Workshop Summary Dr. Scott Perkin, Head, Natural Resources Group, IUCN Asia
16:10-16:30 Remarks by Regional Representatives
(Bangladesh, India, Nepal & SAVE)
Regional Representatives (5 minutes each)
16:30-16:40 Remarks by Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji, Regional Director IUCN Asia
16:40-16:50 Closing Remarks by Chief Guest Mr. Arif Ahmed Khan Secretary, Ministry of Interior
16:50-17:00 Vote of Thanks Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan
17:00 Tea and Refreshments
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Paper 1: An overview of recent advances and priorities
for vulture conservation in the South Asia region
By: Christopher G. R. Bowden1, Toby H. Galligan2, Vibhu Prakash3,
Khadananda Paudel4, Richard Cuthbert5 & Rhys E. Green2
1 Globally Threatened Species Recovery Unit, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, SG19 2DL UK, Programme Manager of
‘Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction’ (SAVE), Co-Chair of IUCN Vulture Specialist Group. Email: [email protected]
2 RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, SG19 2DL UK
3 Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Mumbai, India.
4 Bird Conservation Nepal, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
5 Wildlife Conservation Society, PO Box 277, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.
Abstract Since the most recent annual meeting of the SAVE Partnership in November 2015 there have been
two significant scientific publications further highlighting the threats posed by non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). One shows that aceclofenac is a pro-drug of diclofenac, which is
converted to diclofenac in cattle, and is therefore as toxic to vultures as diclofenac itself. Another
publication reports that some wild vultures found dead in India had visceral gout and residues of
nimesulide in their tissues. This combination of gout and NSAID in wild vultures has only been found
previously for diclofenac and therefore provides a strong indication that nimesulide is toxic to vultures.
Further details of these studies are presented, along with updates on the recent ban of large vials of
diclofenac for human use by the Government of India with the reasons for why this is so important to
fully implement in all range states. It will also be noted that, even though a study published in 2009
showed that the ketoprofen is toxic to vultures, veterinary use of this NSAID has not yet been banned
in any vulture range state in the region, though Bangladesh recently took the step to ban its use in the
two declared Vulture Safe Zones and is considering a wider ban. There is also a local initiative in
Tamil Nadu, India, to ban ketoprofen. The situation regarding aceclofenac, ketoprofen and nimesulide
highlights the continuing lack of an effective regulatory regime to prevent vulture-toxic NSAIDs, and
those of uncertain toxicity, entering the market and becoming widespread veterinary medicines.
Background and the formation of the SAVE consortium partnership In the early 2000s it was discovered that the NSAID diclofenac administered to domesticated
ungulates at a standard veterinary dose was highly toxic to captive vultures that fed on contaminated
carcasses (Oaks et al. 2004; Swan et al. 2006). Vultures died within a few days from kidney failure
and were found to have extensive visceral gout (deposits of uric acid in the tissues) at necroscopic
examination. Until recently, all vultures found dead in the wild with visceral gout in Pakistan, India
and Nepal have had traces of diclofenac in the liver or kidney (Schultz et al. 2004). Surveys of the
quantity of diclofenac in tissues of cattle carcasses available to vultures at carcass dumps in India in
2004-2005 showed that diclofenac provided a more than sufficient explanation of the catastrophic
vulture population declines (over 99%) across South Asia since the widespread introduction of
veterinary diclofenac in 1994 (Green et al. 2004, 2007). Since 2006, there have been attempts to
address the problem. The governments of the four South Asian countries holding significant vulture
populations (Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan) have banned the veterinary use of diclofenac
and an alternative NSAID of low toxicity to vultures (meloxicam) was tested and recommended as a
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replacement for diclofenac and is becoming widely available in the region. Recognising the priority of
such actions and the need for further steps to ensure full implementation, a consortium of fourteen
organisations was founded under the banner of ‘Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction’ (SAVE) in
February 2011. SAVE has agreed a Blueprint for the Recovery of South Asia’s Critically Endangered
Gyps Vultures. In May 2012 the governments of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan signed a
Regional Declaration:
The Conservation of South Asia’s Critically Endangered Vulture Species (Delhi, 2012), which
endorsed the key actions outlined in The Blueprint. The Regional Declaration (Delhi, 2012) also
established an inter-governmental Regional Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of
conservation actions.
SAVE Blueprint and annually reviewed priorities
SAVE Partners meet annually to report on progress and review priorities. SAVE has two nominated
committees of experts from the Partners that deal with developments within two main areas of
activities – the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Funding, Advocacy and
Communications Committee (FACC). The outcomes of the SAVE meeting and changes to The
Blueprint are summarised in a detailed report. The SAVE report for 2015 can be downloaded
(http://save-vultures.org/save_latestnews.html#5threport). The SAVE priorities for 2016 are listed
below.
SAVE priorities for Asian vulture conservation for 2016
· Veterinary licenses to be withdrawn for two NSAIDs – aceclofenac and ketoprofen – based on
good existing evidence that they are unsafe for vultures
· An effective system of regulation of veterinary drugs should be introduced, based upon safety-
testing of those currently in use and all new drugs entering the veterinary market. A protocol for
testing drugs on vultures has been developed in India, but testing has not yet begun. No effective
system exists at present for rapidly preventing the veterinary use of drugs known to be toxic to
vultures. A priority for testing is nimesulide; a drug believed to be toxic to vultures and is already in
widespread veterinary use.
· Identifying additional vulture-safe NSAIDs. At present, the only known vulture-safe NSAID is
meloxicam.
· Communicating the recent ban on multi-dose vials of human diclofenac in India to relevant
authorities and stakeholders.
· Addressing the current and increasing gap between the available funding for vulture
conservation and the work that should be done. This gap now jeopardises continuation of the
programme
· Promotion of network and approach of Vulture Safe Zones across South Asia with expansion to
include trans-boundary cooperative efforts.
· Maintenance and support the existing vulture conservation breeding programmes throughout
South Asia
· Providing a safe environment for first soft releases of captive bred vultures at identified sites
(circular areas, 100 km in radius) in India and Nepal
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· Improving the availability of well-formulated meloxicam products thereby increasing their
popularity with veterinary practitioners
· Linking SAVE activities and meetings to provide support for the Regional Steering Committee
and National Vulture Recovery Committees in order to facilitate the urgent implementation of The
Regional Declaration (Delhi, 2012)
Composition of SAVE
The consortium of SAVE Partners continues to expand. As well as SAVE’s 14 main and project
partners, with three more in the process of being made partners, a new category of SAVE Associates
has been created. SAVE Associates are organisations carrying out SAVE priority activities effectively
at a local level. It is hoped that the SAVE Associate label will help these organisations acquire
resources and funding for these activities. SAVE Associates are nominated for a two-year period,
with renewal being subject to review. Three SAVE Associates have so far been designated.
A call to action for emerging priority threats to vultures in the
region – Veterinary NSAIDs... The priorities above clearly show that there are urgent actions required in addition to the effective full
removal of diclofenac from vulture food supplies. Addressing the emerging threat from other vulture-
toxic NSAIDs is a high priority. Unfortunately, very little progress has been made with this. For
example, ketoprofen has been known to be toxic to vultures since 2009, but the veterinary use of
ketoprofen has not yet been banned anywhere in South Asia. Since the most recent annual SAVE
meeting in November 2015, there have been two significant publications in peer-reviewed journals
that highlight the threat posed by two other NSAIDs – that is, aceclofenac and nimesulide.
Aceclofenac
A study by Galligan et al. (2016) showed that aceclofenac is rapidly metabolised into diclofenac in
cattle. Scientists from the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Biomedical Research Centre
(University of Pretoria) and Environmental Research Institute (University of the Highlands and
Islands), gave four cattle the recommended veterinary dose of aceclofenac, sampled their blood at
intervals and then analysed these samples to measure concentrations of aceclofenac and diclofenac.
The cattle rapidly metabolised almost all of the aceclofenac into diclofenac. The area under the
plasma concentration versus time curve (a standard measure of drug absorption and elimination) for
the diclofenac-metabolite was more than 10 times that of aceclofenac. Aceclofenac is therefore as
dangerous to vultures as diclofenac itself.
Aceclofenac is widely and legally available for treating livestock in most South Asian countries. It is
recommended for the same uses as diclofenac, including palliative care of dying cattle, which leads to
the contamination of carcasses with lethal concentrations of diclofenac. Surveys of drugs offered for
sale for veterinary use in Indian pharmacies indicate that the availability of aceclofenac is increasing
there.
A possible reason for the Governments of South Asia not to have banned veterinary use of
aceclofenac was that conversion to diclofenac had not yet been demonstrated in cattle. Now that this
experiment has demonstrated conversion, a ban on veterinary use of aceclofenac should be
implemented immediately.
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Nimesulide
A study by Cuthbert et al. (2015) strongly suggests that nimesulide is toxic to Gyps vultures. Between
2000 and 2012, 62 vulture carcasses were collected in India, examined for cause of death and 48
were analysed for NSAIDs residues. Residues of three NSAIDs were detected: diclofenac (vulture-
toxic), meloxicam (vulture-safe) and nimesulide (untested) in liver and kidney tissues.
All 25 vultures with diclofenac residues and four out of five vultures with nimesulide residues had
visceral gout. The bird with nimesulide and no visceral gout had a low concentration of the drug. One
vulture was positive for meloxicam, but negative for visceral gout (this bird died from bacterial
infection). Another vulture had both meloxicam and nimesulide residues and visceral gout.
The results for diclofenac and meloxicam concur with previous findings; however, the result for
nimesulide is novel and striking: the four vultures with visceral gout and nimesulide are the only wild
Asian vultures that have been found dead with visceral gout and NSAID residues other than
diclofenac. This strongly suggests that nimesulide is toxic to vultures at levels found in carcasses
available to vultures. Nimesulide is therefore a high priority for safety testing on captive vultures, but
this is not yet under way.
Ketoprofen A study by Naidoo et al. (2009) showed that ketoprofen is toxic to vultures. This drug has replaced
diclofenac ahead of meloxicam in some areas, especially in Bangladesh. The published study was
brought to the attention of governments immediately, but this did not result in serious attention by
drug authorities until 2015. There are current SAVE initiatives to address this in Bangladesh, where
veterinary ketoprofen has been banned in its provisional Vulture Safe Zones. In India, the
Government of Tamil Nadu has taken some steps towards localised bans in vulture hotspots thanks
to the efforts of our SAVE Associate Arulagam. These steps are very welcome, but need to be taken
up on a national or international scale.
Diclofenac After almost five years in process, the Government of India took a significant step to reducing the
illegal use of human diclofenac, through the gazetted ban of these products in vials larger than 3ml
(July 2015). It is clear that offending manufacturers of large vials of human diclofenac were
distributing these products for veterinary use; and offending users of these products in livestock were
taking advantage of large vials. It is thought that this ban will significantly discourage illegal use of
human diclofenac.
Wider solutions There are plans in place in India for SAVE partners including the Indian Veterinary Research Institute
(IVRI) and BNHS and also in South Africa to test up to four veterinary NSAIDs other than diclofenac
and ketoprofen on Gyps vultures. However, given the failure of governments, except that of
Bangladesh, to take any action to prevent veterinary use of ketoprofen in the seven years for which it
has been known to be toxic to vultures, safety testing alone is clearly not the answer to the continuing
problems faced by South Asia’s vultures. Finding more vulture-safe drug options is a priority, but so is
preventing known vulture-toxic drugs from being licensed by the veterinary drug authorities.
Vulture Safe Zone initiatives complement the priorities mentioned so far, that importantly brings
awareness and focus on a more manageable scale. These along with the breeding programmes with
carefully planned and monitored releases will further highlight just how safe the environment is and
can ultimately lead to population recoveries of vultures more widely.
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Addressing the wider NSAIDs issue is however the single most important priority for vulture
conservation in the region and requires full and proactive support of the four Governments to make
the actions required happen in time. Immediate bans on veterinary aceclofenac and keteprofen
should be introduced in all four South Asian vulture range states. Experimental testing of nimesulide
on vultures should be progressed as rapidly as possible and a ban introduced immediately in all
states if it is found to be toxic. There are proposals in place to carry out such NSAID safety-testing
work on vultures in India, but there is an urgent need to ensure this happens as quickly as possible,
and that the findings of such work do result in speedy legislative reaction. Similar measures or
mechanisms are needed in all four South Asian countries (i.e. also Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal)
where vulture populations are already drastically depleted and where there is still a serious risk of
extinction
References Cuthbert Taggart, M., Saini, M., Sharma, A., Das, A., Kulkarni, M.D., Deori, P., Ranade, S., Shringarpure, R.N., Galligan, T.H. and Green, R.E. (2015) Continuing mortality of vultures in India associated with illegal veterinary use of diclofenac and a potential threat from nimesulide. Oryx 50: 104-112 Galligan Taggart, M.A., Cuthbert, R.J., Svobodova, D., Chipangura, J., Alderson, D., Prakash, V.M. and Naidoo, V. (2016) Metabolism of aceclofenac in cattle to vulture-killing diclofenac. Conservation Biology DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12711 Green, R.E., Newton, I., Shultz, S., Cunningham, A.A., Gilbert, G., Pain, D.J. & Prakash, V. (2004) Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41, 793-800. Green, R.E., Taggart, M.A., Senacha, K.R., Raghavan, B., Pain, D.J., Jhala, Y., & Cuthbert, R. (2007) Rate of decline of the Oriental White-Backed vulture population in India estimated from a survey of diclofenac residues in carcasses of ungulates. PLoS ONE, 2, e686. Naidoo, V., Wolter, K., Cromarty, D., Diekmann, M., Duncan, N. et al. (2010). Toxicity of NSAIDs to Gyps vultures: a new threat from ketoprofen. Biology Letters 6, 339-341. Oaks, J.L., Gilbert, M., Virani, M.Z., Watson, R.T., Meteyer, C.U. et al. (2004). Diclofenac residues as the cause of population decline of vultures in Pakistan. Nature, 427, 630–633. SAVE 5 Annual Report http://save-
vultures.org/Documents/Report%20of%205th%20SAVE%20Meeting%20Final%20(inc%202016%20B
lueprint).pdf
Shultz S, Baral HS, Charman S, Cunningham AA, Das D, et al. (2004) Diclofenac poisoning is widespread in declining vulture populations across the Indian subcontinent. Proc Biol Sci (Supplement) 271: S458-S460. Swan, G.E., Cuthbert, R., Quevedo, M., Green R.E., Pain, D.J. et al. (2006a) Toxicity of diclofenac to Gyps vultures. Biology Letters, 2, 279-282.
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Paper 2: Vulture Conservation initiatives of WWF-
Pakistan
By: Dr. Uzma Khan1, Warda Javed2, Hamera Aisha3
Executive Summary The critically endangered Oriental white-backed vulture Gyps bengalensis and long-billed vulture
Gyps indicus have declined across most of their range by over 95 per cent since the mid-1990s. The
primary cause of decline and ongoing threat faced by vultures is the ingestion of livestock carcasses
containing residues of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), principally diclofenac. WWF-
Pakistan initiated the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project (GVRP) in 2005; however, prior to that it has
supported numerous studies on vulture. GVRP involves both in-situ and ex-situ conservation; the
Gyps Vulture Conservation Facility in Changa Manga Forest Reserve is the only ex-situ conservation
initiative in Pakistan, which is dedicated to holding a safe population of vultures with a potential to
breed. Lobbying by WWF-Pakistan with Government agencies led to the banning of Diclofenac
sodium in the veterinary practice in 2006.
Concurrently, in-situ conservation in Nagar Parkar, Sindh integrates conservation research, advocacy,
community empowerment and awareness to ensure a viable population of remaining vultures in the
wild. In-situ work implements the blue print of SAVE – Saving Asian Vultures from Extinction. WWF-
Pakistan, as part of this initiative, established a Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) in 2012, which covers an
area of 100 km in diameter in the remote area of Nagar Parker, Sindh, and hosts the remaining
breeding population of white-backed and long-billed vultures. The project is monitoring the population
of vultures in Nagar Parkar and is also collecting data on the availability of carcasses and NSAIDs, as
many other veterinary NSAIDs such as aceclofenac, ketoprofen and flunixin, have also been shown to
be unsafe for vultures and available in Nagar Parkar.
Apart from this overall threat of NSAIDs, within the project area other threats include the cutting of
nesting trees of white-backed vultures for livestock fodder and fuelwood and the extraction of granite
from the nearby Karoonjhar Hills, which is the breeding habitat of cliff-nesting long-billed vultures.
There are only 31 active white-backed vulture nests and 103 active long-billed vulture nests in Nagar
Parkar according to the 2014-15 survey of the area. Undercover surveys of pharmacy and medical
stores revealed that, despite a ban on the use of diclofenac in veterinary practice since 2006, it is still
being used illegally and human formulations are used illegitimately for veterinary purposes throughout
the country and in the VSZ.
The capacity of local farmers and livestock owners has been enhanced through trainings organized in
collaboration with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences for improved animal husbandry
practices, which will help to reduce livestock losses. Further, to address the problem of poor animal
husbandry, deworming camps have been organized in collaboration with the ICI-Pakistan and the
Sindh Livestock and Fisheries Department. Livestock assessment surveys were also conducted in
and around the Gyps vulture colonies to understand the livestock management practices and
prevalent diseases of the area.
1 Director Species Conservation [email protected]/[email protected]
2 SGP Coordinator [email protected]
3 Manager Conservation [email protected]
16
Nature clubs have been established in local schools to highlight the ecological significance of vultures
and threats faced by the species. Education and awareness raising material has been developed in
the local language and disseminated widely in the project area.
Introduction The ‘critically endangered’ species of Gyps vulture, White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Long-
billed vulture (Gyps indicus) and Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), have declined across most
of their range by over 95% since the mid-1990s. Pakistan is the range country of two of these species
G. bengalensis and G.indicus. The primary cause of the decline and an ongoing threat is the ingestion
of the residues of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by vultures through livestock
carcasses, principally diclofenac (Oaks et al., 2004). This had a catastrophic consequence in India
(the killing over 40 million vultures in just fifteen years). This loss of vultures has caused major knock-
on impacts including increases in feral dogs that exploit the vulture food sources (and thereby give
rise to a higher incidence of rabies and dog bites).
The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) has also declined in most parts of its range and is now
listed as ‘endangered’ (Birdlife International, 2015).
WWF-Pakistan supported vulture studies prior to the GVRP
Conservation of Vultures in District Mianwali: a feasibility study
In 2000, through WWF-Pakistan’s Small Grants Programme, Syed Mehmood Nasir conducted a study
after an alarming increase in the number of deaths of the White–Backed Vulture in Kundian Forest.
The objectives of the project were to determine the population status of the vultures in Mianwali
District, to find out the number of vultures that had been sent to the Veterinary Research Institute
(VRI) for autopsy and their findings, and to investigate the reasons behind the increased deaths of the
vultures.
1. Survey of White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Azad Kashmir, NWFP and Potohar
In 2004, when the cause was attributed to drug poisoning by Diclofenac Sodium , once again a pre-
breeding survey was carried out in selected areas in AJK, NWFP and Potohar by Mr. Z.B. Mirza. It
was a useful project as very little information on the status of the vultures was available from these
areas. According to the survey, the population of the White–Backed Vultures has declined in Potohar
and the population of Himalayan Griffons has declined in Murree Hills and AJK.
2. Evaluation of Current Status of Griffon and Cinereous vultures in Balochistan
In 2005, Shakeel Ahmad and Uzma Khan conducted a study focused on the population status of the
two species of Vultures (Aegypius monachus) and Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus). The project
focused on conducting baseline population assessment surveys in eight district of the Balochistan,
conducting necropsies on the dead birds to determine the probable cause of death, and a market
survey of Diclofenac use in Balochistan
17
Under the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project, the following activities
have been conducted so far:
Ex situ Conservation: WWF-Pakistan has been working towards the protection of Gyps vulture in Pakistan for more than a
decade through ex-situ conservation. The Gyps Vulture Conservation Centre in Changa Manga
Forest Reserve is the only ex-situ conservation initiative in Pakistan which is dedicated to retain the
current population along with a captive breeding program to increase their population since 2005.
WWF-Pakistan launched the captive breeding programme in Changa Manga Forest Reserve in 2005.
Land for the centre was provided by the Punjab Forest Department and this is set up in collaboration
with the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department. The seed funding came from the Environment Agency
of Abu Dhabi for the construction of the centre. The Hawk Conservancy Trust (HCT), UK, has been
supporting the running cost of the centre since 2007 and also provides technical support. Earlier in
2006 this initiative was able to achieve a ban on Diclofenac Sodium in Pakistan due to successful
lobbying with the Government of Pakistan.
The facility comprises one main aviary, four smaller aviaries and surrounding paths, livestock
enclosures and boundaries. A designated veterinarian from the University of Veterinary and Animal
Sciences (UVAS) from Lahore visits the vulture facility on a regular basis. In addition to that, aviary
cleaning/disinfection, veterinary health checks, de-worming and external parasite treatment of the
vultures are also carried out as part of the annual health programme. Successfully breeding chicks at
the centre has been tantalisingly close in previous years.
The facility currently houses 15 white-backed vultures, of which two pairs bred successfully this year,
while two other pairs have shown encouraging signs of breeding behaviour. The total number of
vultures including the two chicks is 17. The two chicks are being monitored and cared for by WWF-
Pakistan trained staff at the Centre. One of the chicks has successfully fledged from the nest on 25th
May 2016.
In situ Conservation (Vulture Safe Zone, Nagar Parkar)
1. Establishment of a CBO: Under this project, WWF-Pakistan established a local
community based organization (CBO), Parkar Foundation, in order to raise awareness among local communities about the significant ecological role of vultures in the environment and to sensitize the relevant government departments, veterinarian community and the local veterinary and medical store owners to stop the use of harmful NSAIDs.
2. Improving livestock management practices: Livestock assessment surveys and
focused group discussions were conducted in villages around Gyps vulture colonies to identify villages with the highest number of livestock, in order to establish deworming and animal husbandry camps. Livestock assessment surveys were then carried out in a select number of villages in order to determine the livestock abundance and prevalent diseases. The surveys covered a total of 16 villages in order to establish a baseline and revealed a total of 20,066 heads of livestock including goats, sheep, cows, camels, donkeys and buffalos in these villages. A wide range of livestock diseases and conditions were identified during these surveys including sheep pox, goat pox, mouth infection, enterotoxaemia, worm infection, diarrhoea, mange, foot and mouth disease, contagious pleuro- pneumonia, anthrax, black quarter etc.
3. Meetings with veterinarians: Meetings were also conducted with local veterinarians
from different villages to understand the prevalent diseases in the area. The veterinarians also gave suggestions as to how they can help WWF-Pakistan in minimizing the risks and effects of mortality (such as NSAIDs poisoning).
18
4. Training of Master Trainers: Parkar Foundation, its members and community
representatives were given training on livestock management by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, in January 2016 to highlight safe drug usage, the ecological services of vultures, and to build the capacity of the local communities. The Department of Livestock and Animal husbandry, Nagar Parkar, Sindh was also approached to take part in the training.
5. Livestock Deworming Camp in Nagar Parkar A three-day livestock deworming camp was organized in collaboration with ICI-Pakistan in
Nagar Parkar from 28 to 30 March 2016. These camps were organized in three villages;
namely Malji Jo Wandio, Sukhpur and Ghartiari, which are located around the colonies of
Gyps vultures in Nagar Parkar, Sindh. A total of 5,500 animals including sheep, goats, cows,
buffalos and camels were given deworming medicines. A team of veterinarians from ICI-
Pakistan (Hyderabad and Mitthi) along with WWF-Pakistan’s representative and the locally
registered Parker Foundation facilitated the deworming camp activities.
6. Improving water supply In coordination with the District Government, a well is being constructed in the Mulji Jo
Wandio village, Nagar Parkar for marginalized communities to grow fodder crops and meet
other water demands in order to save the tree species that provide the white-backed vulture a
nesting habitat.
7. Recent research on NSAIDs Recently some drugs such as aceclofenac, ketoprofen, nimesulide and Flunixin, have been identified as unsafe to vultures (Naidoo et al., 2010, Sharma 2012, Zorrilla et al., 2014 and Cutherbert et al. 2015). WWF-Pakistan’s initial surveys under the Vulture Safe Zone project indicate that ketoprofen, flunixin and aceclofenac are available in Pakistan. WWF-Pakistan has recorded human formulations of diclofenac (local as well as imported) available at Nagar Parkar, which has endangered the remaining breeding populations of two critically endangered Gyps vultures. It still needs to be confirmed if there is any evidence that these are used by the local communities for veterinary purposes. The only vial size available is 3ml.
Formulation testing of six meloxicam samples from Pakistan to the UK had showed high pH
levels (varying from 9.31 to 12.92), indicating that all compounds were strongly to very
strongly alkaline with high osmolarities (varying from 5.41 to 8.23 mOsmol ml-1) and the
absence of the excipient ‘meglumine’ makes it very likely that these compounds will have the
same problem as meloxicam manufactured in India, rendering them painful upon injection.
ICI-Pakistan has taken steps to improve the formulation of meloxicam in its product ‘Melonac’
(Certificate of Analysis is awaited from ICI-Pakistan). Other pharmaceuticals (Leads Pharma,
SJ & G Fazul Ellahie, Selmore Pharma, Star Labs and Breeze Pharma) will be approached to
improve their meloxicam formulations, using the example of ICI-Pakistan.
A process of dialogue was already initiated with representatives of the Drug Regulatory
Authority managed by the Ministry of National Health Services, Government of Pakistan. No
significant progress was made to impose a ban on the veterinary use of ketoprofen and
aceclofenac at the national scale so far. An important positive development at the provincial
level is the recent amendment in the law, the Drugs Act, 1976 in Punjab province. This
amendment makes the registration of any kind of drug mandatory with the Drug Regulatory
Authority of Pakistan. It is therefore compulsory for drug manufacturers to specify on labels
that a drug is intended for human use only.
7.1 Drug Regulatory Authority and Gyps Vulture Conservation It has been reported by the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) that diclofenac is being used under the labels of Herbal and Homeopathic medicines for animals; there are at least 311
19
such products (sale points indicated at Rawalpindi Veterinary Medicine Market, Shamsabad). This requires further investigation, which the DRA is pursuing by making unannounced visits to dispensaries in a number of cities. The situation will continue to be monitored via links between the DRA and WWF-Pakistan.
The number of veterinary pharmaceutical companies that are manufacturing ketoprofen and
aceclofenac in Pakistan needs to be checked. Flunixin and Nimesulide have serious impacts
on the vulture population and this is currently being investigated by the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds (RSBP) in India. There are two critical steps, we would like to know how
many veterinary pharmaceuticals are manufacturing ketoprofen, aceclofenac and flunixin and
if nimesulide is registered in Pakistan We can then take these pharmaceuticals on board to
ban these two drugs in Pakistan. This issue had been discussed in the meeting of the Drug
Registration Board (DRB) in Islamabad, in December 2014.
WWF-Pakistan would need support from the DRA on the following:
Improving potency, formulation and availability of Meloxicam, as this is so far tested as safe for vultures.
Sharing information on the veterinary manufacturers of aceclofenac, ketoprofen and flunixin.
Banning aceclofenac, flunixin and ketoprofen in veterinary practice.
The DRB should not register nimesulide, if currently not registered in Pakistan (confirmation required from DRB).
8. Population Assessment Survey: A field survey was carried out from 16 March to 15
April 2015 in Nagar Parkar, Sindh. The survey revealed a total of 31 active nests of the white-backed vulture and 105 individual and 103 active nests and 503 individuals of the long-billed vulture. A total of 584 species of the Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus were also found in Nagar Parkar. The Gyps Population Assessment 2016 has recently ended and WWF-Pakistan has already published a paper on the vulture population (Murn et al 2014). Another scientific paper on the population data of the Gyps indicus is currently being drafted. WWF-Pakistan is also surveying areas in AJK and has identified a potential site to establish another VSZ.
9. Media Exposure Visit to Nagar Parkar A two-day exposure visit to Nagar Parkar, Tharparkar was organized for journalists from 24 to
25 March 2016 and intended to sensitize participants to make efforts for the protection of
endangered vulture species. During this visit journalists were taken to the hotspots of the
vulture population in the surrounding villages of Nagar Parkar. Participating media houses
included Dawn, The News, Business Recorder, and the monthly Ferozan.
10. Awareness among school children: Awareness raising material has already been developed, including factsheets in Sindhi and
English on the Gyps vulture crises and conservation initiatives by WWF-Pakistan. Vulture
identification cards have also been developed and distributed among relevant stakeholders.
Consultative sessions were held for local communities and the Parkar Foundation in Mulji ka
Wandia (the village), Nagar Parkar, and the veterinarian community in Mithi. A seminar was
also organized at the Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam. Sessions are regularly
organized in different schools of Nagar Parkar highlighting the importance of vultures in the
ecosystem and the reasons for their decline. A total of 15 Nature Clubs have been
established in local schools. Awareness raising material will be prepared that includes an
interactive activity book and brochures in the local Sindhi language.
20
In addition to this, vulture day is celebrated every year where different activities are
organised; for example, last year the day was celebrated in Lahore Zoo and the University of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
Plans for 2016 - 2017 1. Community-based dispensaries: The set up of community-based dispensaries for the local
community is part of the project plan for 2016-2017. 2. Continued monitoring of the critically endangered Gyps vultures in Nagar Parkar.
3. Lobby to ban aceclofenac and ketoprofen in veterinary practice and designate Karoonjhar Hills as legally protected to save the nests of the critically endangered long-billed vulture. WWF-Pakistan has already written to the Ministry of Health regarding banning the above mentioned drugs.
4. Develop the National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation.
5. Vulture watching trips will be organized for local schools in Nagar Parkar.
6. Production of education and outreach materials in the form of interactive activity books highlighting the role of vultures in the environment along with other useful information which will be printed in the local Sindhi language.
7. Tissue sample analysis of livestock carcasses to assess the presence of NSAIDs.
8. Assessment of the range movement of vultures through radio transmitters.
9. Screening of a short documentary on national television channels.
10. Establish another Vulture Safe Zone. An assessment has already been completed for this.
21
References: BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Neophron percnopterus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/04/2015. BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Gyps bengalensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/04/2015. BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Gyps indicus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/04/2015. Cuthbert R. J. Dave R., Chakrborty S. S., Kumar S., Prakash S., Ranad S. R., and Prakash V. 2011. Assessing the ongoing threat fro veterinary non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs to critically endangered Gyps vultures in India. Oryx 45 (3), 420-426 Cuthbert. R.J., Analysis of veterinary meloxicam formulations manufactured in Pakistan Report prepared by RSPB, UK. Murn, C., Saeed, U., Khan, U., and Iqbal, S,. 2014. Population and spatial breeding dynamics of a Critically Endangered Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis colony in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Bird Conservation International, doi:10.1017/S0959270914000483 Naidoo, V., Venter K., Wolter, Taggart, M.A, Cuthbert, R. 2010. The toxicokinetics of ketoprofen in Gyps coprotheres: toxicity due to zero-order metabolism. Arch Toxicol 84:761–766 Naidoo, V., Wolter, K., Cromarty, D., Diekmann, M., Duncan, N., Meharg, A., Taggart, M.A., Venter, L., Cuthbert, R., Toxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to Gyps vultures: a new threat from Ketoprofen DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0818 Published 12 May 2010 Oaks J. L., Gilbert M., Virani M. Z., Watson R. T., Meteyer C. U., Rideout B. A., Shivaprasad H. L., Ahmed S., Chaudhry M. J. I., Arshad M., Mahmood S., Ali A. and Khan A. A. 2004. Diclofenac residue as the cause of vulture population decline in Pakistan. Nature 427, 630-633 Sharma P. 2012. Aceclofenac as potential threat to critically endangered vultures in India: A Review. Journal of Raptor Research 46(3): 314-318 Zorrilla, I., Martinez, R., Taggart, M. A., and Richard, N. 2014. Suspected Flunixin Poisoning of a Wild Eurasian Griffon Vulture from Spain Conservation Biology, Volume 00, No. 0, 1–6 Society for Conservation Biology DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12417
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Paper 3: Status and distribution of vultures in Sindh
By: Syed Ali Ghalib1, Nadeem Mirbahar1 and Fehmida Firdous1
Abstract Out of the eight species of vultures residing in Pakistan, seven have been recorded in Sindh. These
include: the Egyptian Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Eurasian Griffon Vulture,
Cinereous Vulture, Long-billed Vulture and White-backed Vulture.
Long-billed and White-backed Vultures have undergone severe population decline. The use of
Diclofenac Acid in sick domestic livestock is considered to be the main factor for this decline.
Nagarparkar area in district Tharparkar is the main stronghold of these two species in Sindh.
Up-to-date information about the status of vultures in Sindh has been lacking. The present studies
were undertaken to record their distribution and status in Sindh. Field surveys were undertaken from
2014 to 2016 in Sindh, including the prime localities of Long-billed and White-backed Vulture
comprising of 15 villages in Nagarparkar area.
During the present studies, baseline data was collected regarding existing threats, review of the
present conservation efforts and the proposed priority action.
The key species of vultures in Sindh are the White-backed, Long-billed and Egyptian Vultures. Out of
these, White-backed and Long-billed Vultures are critically endangered while the Egyptian Vulture is
endangered. Out of the other species of vultures, the Red-headed Vulture is critically endangered, the
Cinereous Vulture is near threatened, and the Lammergeier and Eurasian Griffon Vulture are of Least
Concern.
It is concluded that the status of the Long-billed Vulture is more or less secure in Sindh, while the
status of the White-backed Vulture has somewhat improved in Sindh, as Vulture Safe Zones have
been established and some studies on the conservation of the species have been undertaken. The
use of Diclofenac in veterinary practice has been banned and Meloxicam has been introduced as its
replacement, but veterinary practitioners are not yet fully aware of the said ban.
As part of a future conservation strategy, long-term regular monitoring of the population of the two
vulture species is suggested to record the trends in their populations.
Introduction
Eight species of vultures are recorded in Pakistan (Roberts 1991, Grimmett et al. 2008 and Ahmad,
2013). Three species of Gyps vultures are endemic to South and Southeast Asia. They are the White-
backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Long-billed vulture (G. indicus) and Slender-billed vulture (G.
tenuirostris). They are the worst affected and are threatened with global extinction after rapid
population declines, which began in the mid-1990s. They are listed as Critically Endangered. In India,
the Oriental White-backed vulture population in 2007 was estimated at one-thousandth of its level in
the early 1990s. Veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Diclofenac is the
major cause of these declines. Diclofenac has been used to treat symptoms of disease and injury in
domesticated ungulates in many parts of the Indian subcontinent since the 1990s. When research
had indicated the severity of the effects of Diclofenac on vulture populations, the Governments of
India, Pakistan and Nepal commenced actions to prevent the contamination of vulture food supplies
with the drug. A ban on veterinary practice was imposed on 17 March 2005 In India. Pakistan and
Nepal also banned it in 2006, and it was banned in Bangladesh in 2010. After the ban of Diclofenac in
23
Pakistan, the survey in 2010-11 showed very few vultures or nests but between 2011 and 2014 the
number of active nests had increased in the Tharparkar colony from 11 to 34, indicating an expanding
colony (Murn et al. 2014). Similar results have been found in the case of the long-billed vulture in
Karoonjhar hills, Tharparkar district (Chaudhry et al. 2012).
These facts highlight the need of a strategy to strengthen and synergize the ongoing vulture
conservation work in Pakistan. The efforts already made were assessed for concrete action to help
provincial and federal governments generate the resources for implementation based projects.
Distribution of Vultures in Pakistan
Nine species of vultures are found in Asia. Except the Slender Billed Vulture, eight species of vultures
are found in Pakistan (Figure 1).
Out of these eight species of vulture, five species are reported in all four Provinces. These are the
White Backed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Griffon Vulture and
Lammergeier.
The Himalayan Griffon Vulture has been reported in Punjab and KPK, while the Red-headed Vulture
is from Sindh and Punjab and the Long Billed Vulture from Sindh only.
Figure 1: Distribution of vulture spp. in Pakistan
Out of these, three species are Critically Endangered, one is Endangered, one is Near- threatened and three are of Least Concern. (Table 1)
24
Table 1: Conservation status of vultures
S. No.
Vulture Species Conservation Status
Global
1 White-backed, Gyps bengalensis Critically Endangered
2 Long-billed, Gyps indicus Critically Endangered
3 Red-headed, Sarcogyps calvus Critically Endangered
4 Egyptian Griffon, Neophron percnopterus Endangered
5 Cinereous, Aegypius monachus Near Threatened
6 Himalayan Griffon, Gyps himalayensis Least Concern
7 Eurasian Griffon, Gyps fulvus Least Concern
8 Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus Least Concern
Materials and Methods
Data was collected throughout Sindh through Baseline Studies, EIAs and IEEs in collaboration with
the Sindh Wildlife Department (2012 to 2015). Studies were also undertaken through IUCN-
Commission on Ecosystem Management (2014 to 2015). Field studies were undertaken during
December, 2015 and January, 2016. Field studies were also undertaken by m/s Nadeem Mirbahar,
Zahoor Saalmi and Motiram in August, 2015 and January, 2016. Detailed visits were made in the
Tharparkar District area and data was collected to record the occurrence and distribution of vultures.
Secondary information was also obtained from the Sindh Wildlife Department, Baanhn Beli and local
communities. The published information about the vultures of the area was also taken into account
and reviewed. Moreover, a questionnaire based- baseline survey was undertaken by IUCN and
Baanhn Beli from 03.12.2015 to 06.12.2015 in Tharparkar Area under the ICUN National Vulture
Conservation Strategy Project (2015-2016) and data was collected through interviews with locals in
11 villages of Nagarparkar area and 110 questionnaires were filled in.
Results
Seven species of vultures have been recorded from Sindh as under (Figure 2; Table: 2):
1. Oriental White Backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
Status: Less common resident recorded in Tharparkar, Badin and Khairpur Districts
2. Long billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)
Status: Less common resident mainly recorded in Tharparkar (Nagarparkar Area) and once from
Khairpur District.
3. Egyptian or Scavenger Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Status : Common resident recorded throughout most of the areas in Sindh.
4. Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Status: Scarce resident / winter visitor recorded in Tharparkar District, Khirthar National Park,
Jamshoro and Karachi Districts.
5. Eurasian Black Vulture / Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
25
Status: Scarce winter visitor recorded in Tharparkar, Badin, Sukkur, Ghotki Districts and Karachi
Coast.
6. Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
Status: Occasional winter visitor recorded in Khirthar National Park, Jamshoro.
7. King Vulture, Redheaded or Black Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus)
Status: Occasional visitor, recorded in Tharparkar and Hyderabad.
Table 2: Species of vultures of Sindh with their seasonal status
Species Status
White Backed Vulture Resident
Long Billed Vulture Resident
Egyptian Vulture Resident
Eurasian Griffon Vulture Resident
Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture Winter visitor
Cinereous Vulture Winter Visitor
Red Headed Vulture Occasional Visitor (Breeding recorded in Nagarparkar)
The key Wildlife Areas of Sindh with reference to vultures have been identified as follows:
• Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary (Tharparkar District: Mithi, Nagarparkar and Diplo), Thatta
and Badin District.
• Khirthar Protected Area Complex (Khirthar National Park: Bhal area and Marri Mungthar Hills)
• Nara Desert (Nara Game Reserve and Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary)
• Indus Delta (Karachi Coast)
26
Study Areas
Long Billed Vulture
Figure 2: Vultures of Sindh
Lammergeier
Eurasian Griffon Vulture White Backed Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
Red Headed Vulture
Cinereous Vulture
27
Distribution of Vulture species in Tharparkar
Six species of vulture have been recorded from Tharparkar (Ghalib et al., 2013)
The Egyptian Vulture was fairly common in Mithi area, while the Long-billed Vulture was sighted
in Nagarparkar particularly in the Karoonjhar hills area. The White-backed Vulture was scarce,
and recorded in scattered localities in the study area from Mithi, Islamkot and Nagarparkar areas.
The Mithi Bypass can be considered a potentially vulture-abundant area, as more than 150
Egyptian Vultures have been observed there along with the Redheaded Vulture, Eurasian Griffon
Vulture and Cinereous Vulture. The Cinereous Vulture has also been recorded in Diplo.
Potential Sites The potential sites for the occurrence of vultures have been identified as follows. (1) Oan Jo Wandhio,
(2) Gharteyari, (3) Rarkuo, (4) Chitrasar, (5) Gatro, (6) Surachand, (7) Kasbo, (8) Malji Jo Wandhio,
(9) Parbati Jo Wandhio, (10) Lakhar Khadio, (11) Sudhran, (12) Mitthi Bypass Area, (13) Karoonjhar
Hills, and (14) Ghanteyari Dam Area.
Figure 3: Vulture Habitats in Nagarparkar
Karoonjhar Hills Mithi Bypass Area
Malji jo Wandhiyo nesting area for
WBV. More than 14 nesting birds were
recorded in this village. M/s Nadeem
Mirbahar and Moti Lal are in the
foreground.
Nesting of WBV in Malji jo
Wandhiyo village
28
Review of recent surveys regarding vultures in Sindh .
1. In Sindh, a total of 359 Egyptian Vultures, 98 Griffon Vultures, 39 White-backed Vultures, 3 King
Vultures, 3 Cinereous and 55 Long- billed Vultures were observed during the four months from
December 31, 2010 to April 17, 2011 (Iqbal et al., draft report 2010-11).
2. WWF-Pakistan launched the “Vulture Safe Zone Project” in 2012 covering an area of about 100 Km
in diameter in Nagarparkar.
3. During 2012 and 2013, population assessment surveys were carried out by WWF-Pakistan
showing an increase in active nest counts of the White-backed (Gyps bengalensis) and Long-billed
Vulture (Gyps indicus) in Nagarparkar Area.
4. Murn et al. (2014) showed an increased roost count in Nagarparkar from 39 birds in 2011 to 145
birds, more than three-fold increase in 3 years.
5. In the Mithi bypass area alone, about 150 Egyptian vultures were recorded (Firdous et al. 2016).
6. Surveys were undertaken in August, 2015 and January, 2016 and the following data was collected.
(Tables 3 and 4)
Table 3: Numbers of vultures recorded in August, 2015
Species of vultures Area Nos.
White Backed Vulture Mithi- Islamkot 58
Long Billed Vulture Malji Jo Wandhiyo 43
Egyptian Vulture Karonjhar Hills 29
Redheaded Vulture Mithi- Mirpur Khas Road 01
Ghantiyari
Dam Area
29
Table 4: Numbers of vultures recorded in January, 2016
Species of vultures Area Nos.
White Backed Vulture
Mithi
90
Long Billed Vulture 07
Egyptian Vulture 05
Redheaded Vulture 01
Eurasian Griffon Vulture 01
Threats to Vultures
The threats to vultures have been identified as Diclofenac use in livestock, destruction of nests by
herders, absence of carcasses, habitat destruction, migration of species to other countries, absence
of conservation initiatives, high use of pesticides and insecticides, killing of vultures for any other
reason, food shortage-removal of dead animals by traders, forest degradation, human behavior,
absence of laws and policies, developmental projects etc.
Conservation initiatives undertaken
o A country wide Gyps vulture population assessment was made in 2011. Nagarparkar area was
found to be the main stronghold of two critically endangered Gyps species.
o A “Vulture Safe Zone” Project was launched in 2012 by WWF-Pakistan with the financial support
of USF & WS, covering a 100 km diameter area in Tehsil Nagarparkar with the main objectives
being to declare a Vulture Conservation Area (a “Vulture Safe Zone”) free from NSAIDs that are
fatal to Gyps Vultures, and to enhance the usage of alternate an NSAID, Meloxicam, by lobbying
with the pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians and relevant govt. departments to increase
awareness through media, community sessions and trainings.
o Two comprehensive population assessment surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2013. They
showed an increase in the active nest counts of the White-backed and the Long-beaked Vulture.
o A National Vulture Recovery Committee was constituted in 2012 with the following objectives. It
is a great step forward for the conservation of vultures in Pakistan.
1. Facilitate coordination, and guide and oversee vulture conservation and recovery efforts at the
national level.
2. Take actions for the implementation of all recommendations from the symposium on Developing a
Regional Response to the Conservation of South Asia’s Critically Endangered Vulture species at
the national level.
3. Prepare and implement a national recovery action plan for vulture conservation and recovery
efforts in Pakistan.
30
4. Identify opportunities to enhance regional coordination and cooperation, including, for example
the harmonization of relevant policies and legislation, the creation of transboundary vulture safe
zones, and sharing of experience and best practices.
5. Help identify priority research, conservation recovery, and monitoring projects and assist in
seeking financial and technical support for their implementation.
6. Facilitate formulation of policy recommendations to address emerging threats to vulture
populations in Pakistan, and help bring these to the attention of the appropriate decision -
markers.
7. Facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement, including the private sector, to mobilize resources for the
implementation of vulture conservation and recovery efforts in Pakistan.
8. Promote education, communication, capacity-building, and public awareness raising activities,
highlighting the importance and urgency of vulture conservation and recovery efforts.
9. Prepare and submit bi-annual progress reports to the Regional Secretariat, and present an
update on Pakistan’s progress with vulture conservation at the Regional Steering Committee
meetings.
Conclusion
1. The key species of vultures in Sindh are the White backed Vulture, Long billed Vulture and
the Egyptian Vulture. Out of these, the White backed Vulture and Long billed Vulture are
critically endangered, while the Egyptian Vulture is endangered. Out of the other species of
vultures, the Redheaded Vulture is critically endangered, the Cinereous Vulture is near
threatened and the status of Eurasian Griffon and Lammergeier is of Least Concern.
2. Local people informed researchers that about 200-400 Long-billed Vultures were residing in
the Nagarparkar area, with their main nesting sites in the Karoonjhar Hills. This vulture
migrates to other remote areas as well, and one Long- billed Vulture was sighted at Mithrao
Bhambro Village in District Khairpur on 11/02/2015(Pers, Comm. A.R.Khan). Regarding the
White-backed Vulture, about 200 individuals might be residing in the area. All this needs
confirmation through detailed studies on the subject.
3. The directive to ban the use of Diclofenac Acid has not been circulated to veterinary doctors
so most of them are ignorant of its toxic effects on animals. Moreover, they are also not
convinced of using Meloxicam as an alternate medicine. So, Voren is still the most used
medicine in the treatment of sick animals. Still, there is a need to publicize the ban imposed
by the government on the veterinary use of Diclofenac.
4. The preset day distribution and status of vultures in Sindh is yet to be determined through
continued studies with emphasis on the mortality rates of these species and the extent of their
dependence on the carcasses of animals, along with determining the extent of use of
Diclofenac in animal treatment and its impact on vultures, if any, in the study area. There are
gaps in studies on vultures, so any clear picture of the threats to their survival is not available.
5. A USAID funded National Vulture Conservation Strategy Project was implemented by IUCN
during 2015-2016 to contribute to national efforts for the conservation of vultures, through
development of a National Vulture Conservation Strategy for Pakistan. The Project has
greatly boosted vulture conservation efforts in Sindh and very significant updated data about
the distribution, status and overall environmental situation with reference to vultures was
collected. This will prove as a guideline for future vulture conservation efforts in Pakistan.
31
Priority Actions 1. Regular studies/monitoring regarding vultures is required in the Vulture Safe Zone for their
continued presence, and for safe guarding them against the emerging threats of activities
such as mining (Coal, Granite, Salt) and infrastructure development.
2. The Zoological Survey of Pakistan may be activated for monitoring studies in Vulture
Conservation Areas (VCAs). Baanhn Beli and the Parkar Foundation may be supported for
Vultures/Peafowl conservation programmes by the Government as these are the only local
NGOs working for the protection and conservation of vultures in Tharparpakar.
3. The notification regarding the cancellation of the registration of all veterinary drugs containing
Diclofenac does not contain any directive regarding banning the use of the drug in Veterinary
treatment. The ban on Diclofenac needs to be publicized.
4. Water points and feeding sites for vultures may be created.
5. Vaccination programs for Peafowl and livestock are urgently required to be implemented in
full capacity.
6. The Biodiversity Action Plan for Pakistan needs to be approved and implemented as it deals
with the conservation of Threatened Biodiversity of Pakistan.
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the following persons for their immense help in the field surveys.
These are the main resource persons for future studies on vultures in Sindh.
• Dr. Muhammad Khan Mari (Baanhan Beli)
• Mr. Lajpat Sharma (Sindh Wildlife Department)
• Mr. Suleman Khoso (Sindh Wildlife Department)
• Mr. Moti Lal (Parkar Foundation)
• Mr. Zahoor Saalmi (Consultant, IUCN). He for the first time recorded breeding of Red Headed
Vulture from Baraach Village, near Mithi, Nagarparkar) .
32
References
Ahmad, S.I. 2013, Raptors of Pakistan- A Field Guide. Zoological Survey of Pakistan, Ministry of
Climate Change, Islamabad. 92 pages.
Chaudhry, M. J. I., Ogada, D. L., Malik, R. N., Virani, M. Z., and Giovanni, M. D.,
2012 First evidence that populations of the critically endangered Long-
billed Vulture Gyps indicus in Pakistan have increased following the ban of the toxic veterinary drug
diclofenac in south Asia. Bird Conserv. Intern. 22: 389-397.
Firdous, F., Ghalib, S.A., and Mirbahar, N., 2016 Baseline Report, National Vulture Conservation
Strategy Project, IUCN (under publication).
Ghalib, S.A., Khan, M.Z., Hussain., S.A., Zehra, A., Samreen, N., Tabassum, F., Jabeen, T., Khan,
A.R., Sharma, L. and Bhatti, T. 2013. Current distribution and status of the mammals, birds and
reptiles in Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary, Sindh. Int.J.Biol. Biotech., 10 (4) 601-611.
Grimmett,R., Roberts,T and Inskipp,T. 2008. Birds of Pakistan.Christopher Helm,London.
Iqbal. S., Khan, U. and Murn, C., 2011. Vulture population and status survey, Pakistan. (Unpublished
Report)
Murn, C., Saeed, U., Khan, U., and Iqbal, S., 2014. Population and spatial breeding dynamics of a
Critically Endangered Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis colony in Sindh Province,
Pakistan. Bird Conservation International, Available on CJO doi:10.1017/S0959270914000483
Roberts, T. J. (1991) The Birds of Pakistan: Volume 1. Oxford University Press, Karachi.
33
Paper 4: Establishment and management of
community-based Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) in
Bangladesh
By: A.B.M. Sarowar Alam
Principal Investigator, Bangladesh White-rumped Vulture Conservation Project
IUCN Bangladesh About 99.9% of vulture populations have disappeared from the South-Asian countries over the last
couple of decades (Khan, 2012). Populations of the White-Rumped Vulture and other resident Gyps
vulture have declined drastically in Bangladesh and now consist of about 260 individuals. The fatal
effects of Diclofenac and other veterinary NSAIDs on scavenging vultures are the main reason for this
severe decline (Oaks et.al. 2014, SAVE 2016). The commitment of the Government of Bangladesh to
conserve vultures is translated into banning veterinary Diclofenac drugs in 2010. The Ministry of
Environment and Forests has also taken the initiative to ban Ketoprofen and other unsafe drugs for
vultures. In 2012, Bangladesh, along with several South Asian countries, formed the Regional
Steering Committee (RSC) dedicated to trans-boundary collaboration in conserving the highly
threatened vultures of South Asia (Alam et.al. 2015).. Later in 2013, the Ministry of Environment and
Forests of Bangladesh launched the Bangladesh National Vulture Recovery Committee (BNVRC)
which aims to further the policy, advocacy, monitoring and supervision of national vulture
conservation initiatives (Alam et.al. 2015). In December 2014, the Government declared two Vulture
Safe Zones (VSZ-1: 19,663.18 km2 and VSZ-2: 27717.26 km
2) for vulture conservation with the aim of
providing vultures with a safe habitat free of harmful drugs. The declaration of VSZs is a result of a
joint initiative by IUCN Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Forest Department (Alam et.al. 2015). This
initiative also established baselines of vulture populations, identified hotspots, and conducted
undercover pharmacy surveys (Alam 2015a). Despite the establishment of VSZs, the first undercover
pharmacy survey conducted in 2014 showed harmful drugs making up 68% of veterinary drugs in the
VSZs. To address this situation, campaigns and motivational activities took place within the local
communities, pharmacy owners and veterinary practitioners in the VSZs. The people-focused efforts
have created a base for the reduction of harmful drug use, promotion of the safe use of Meloxicam
through private sector engagement, and the formation of Vulture Conservation Teams (VCT) at
different tiers to manage the VSZs. The second undercover survey in 2015 revealed no presence of
harmful Diclofenac in VSZ-1 but the presence of Ketoprofen was found. Overall, Diclofenac has been
reduced in VSZ-2 to 8%, although some other drugs still persists, indicating to some success of the
awareness campaigns (Alam 2015b). This paper discusses the Vulture Safe Zone establishment and
declaration process, current population and population trends of vultures in Bangladesh, results from
the pharmacy survey and the institutional mechanism that is the Vulture Conservation Team.
34
Vulture Safe Zone Declaration Process in Bangladesh
VSZs are large areas dedicated to the conservation of vultures. A combined effort is put forth to
make sure that the areas are free from diclofenac and vulture habitats are protected. Bangladesh is
the first country to have government approved VSZs, giving them a legal footing in Bangladesh.
The Government of Bangladesh declared two Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs) on 23 December 2014 by
gazette notification. Several steps and procedures were followed before declaring the VSZs (Alam
et.al. 2015).
The first step in declaring a VSZ is conducting baseline surveys like a population survey, nesting and
roosting tree identification, hotspot demarcation and pharmacy surveys. In Bangladesh, the initial
surveys were conducted in 22 important districts. It was estimated the current population of vultures
stands at approximately 260 individuals and two vulture hotspots were identified in Rema-Kalenga
Wildlife of Greater Sylhet area and in Sundarbans of the Greater Khulna region, and from the 235
pharmacy surveys, it was established that there was around a 68% presence of diclofenac in the
surrounding areas of vulture hotspots. It was then followed by the identification of the main threats to
vultures. From previous literature review, interviews with specialists, experts and conservationists, it
was determined that the three main threats vultures in Bangladesh face are: (1) presence of toxic
drugs, (2) habitat loss and (3) insufficient food. Then came the development of a draft proposal with
the proper mapping of specific activities. The draft proposal included the current status of vultures, the
total area of the proposed VSZ and vulture hotspots with a map, the objectives of VSZs, the need for
vultures in ecosystems etc. Afterwards, the draft proposal was shared with various local stakeholders
who live and work in the possible VSZ area for their comments and suggestions. This was a very
important step as local stakeholders are the ones most dependent on the proposed areas and have
the best knowledge regarding these areas. These stakeholders might have specific comments or
complaints that have to considered and/or negotiated in order to get full support from local
communities. In Bangladesh, more than 20 meetings were held in the VSZ areas where members
from a cross-section of the community, including representatives of the local government were
present. Later, the valid comments and suggestions from the local stakeholders were incorporated in
the draft proposal and validation meetings with the same stakeholders were organized on the revised
draft proposals containing their suggestions and comments in the presence of the Deputy
Commissioner. This was followed by meetings with national-level stakeholders, where
conservationists, scientists, and high-ranking officials were presented with the proposal and asked for
their comments and feedback. A total of 3 meetings were held where top government officials from
the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Bangladesh Forest Department, the Livestock
Department, students and teachers of various universities, and conservationists were present. And
finally, the proposal was sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval and gazette
notification.
35
Compilation of all baselines
survey reports
Identified all kinds of present threats
for Vulture
Develop a draft proposal with Mapping and
specific activities
Consultation Meetings with
local stakeholders(6)
Updated the draft Proposal and
incorporated the stakeholders
Recommendation
Feedback meeting with same
stakeholders on revised proposal for
validation(6)
National Level Stakeholders
meetings where all high official different
level
Finalize the proposal and send it MoEf
for Govt Approval
Govt. Approve Two VSZs and Geggetteed
Figure1: Flowchart showing steps needed for declaration of Vulture Safe Zone
Population Census
The population survey of the White-rumped vulture was carried out in 26 districts through a field
survey. Out of the 26 districts, the field survey was carried out in 22 districts, and in 4 districts
information was taken and interviews conducted with the local people/community. Out of the 26
districts, vultures were found in only twelve districts. Moreover, the number of vultures apart from the
White-rumped Vulture was also counted, viz. Slender-billed vulture (2), Himalayn vulture (110),
Euresian Griffon vulture (12), Egyptian vulture (1) and Cinereous vulture (7). The total number of
White-rumped Vultures found from the census was 260 individuals (Alam et.al. 2015).
Figure2: Population survey of White-rumped vulture in Bangladesh
15
80
10 10 17
50 40
10 1 5
12 10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
No
. of
Vu
ltu
res
Districts
Population Survey of Vultures
36
Pharmacy Survey
The sample market survey shows the comparison of availability of veterinary drugs at different times.
The pharmacy survey is carried out in three tiers- undercover, open and undercover. The first
undercover pharmacy survey of 235 pharmacies (both human and veterinary) was carried out in the
local drug stores in 22 districts (out of 64 districts of Bangladesh) from April - September 2014. The
districts (local administrative unit) were selected randomly based on the past and present vulture
habitat sites. Out of 235 pharmacies, 54% drug stores contained veterinary drugs. As an active
ingredient, diclofenac, ketoprofen and Meloxicam found in 24%, 40% and 24% of drugs in different
surveyed stores respectively. Among the total number of diclofenac drugs, 50% are Indian diclofenac,
which are illegally used and traded in the border area (Alam 2015b).
Figure 2: 1
st Undercover pharmacy survey showing percentage of different active ingredients
The Open Pharmacy Survey/ Awareness Campaign involved sensitization of pharmacy owners about
harmful and safe drugs for vulture. The vulture team sensitized pharmacy owners regarding
selling/trading/ using the banned drug diclofenac, highlighting the harmful effects of diclofenac to
vultures and the environment. Campaigners distributed and pasted awareness-raising brochures and
posters to pharmacies to enable them to understand the problem at different administrative units in
the country.
The second undercover pharmacy survey (carried out in 2015) revealed no presence of harmful
diclofenac in VSZ-1. Diclofenac is now only found in the border areas (Bangladesh-India) of VSZ-2
but there is a positive decrease of this drug (24% to 8%).
Figure3: 2nd Undercover pharmacy survey showing decrease of diclofenac
40%
24%
12%
12%
4% 4% 4%
1st Undercover Pharmacy Survey
Ketoprofen
Meloxicam
52%
20%
8%
12% 4% 4%
2nd Undercover Phrmacy Survey
Ketoprofen
Meloxicam
Diclofenac
37
Institutional Mechanism The Government approved VCTs consist of three tiers ranging from local to district administrations,
are comprised of individuals from a cross-section of the community, and are directly interlinked with
the MoEF and BNVRC. The VCTs are the core institution for the VSZ management and adhere to a
specific Terms of Reference. The White-rumped Vulture Conservation in Bangladesh Project in
collaboration with Bangladesh Forest Department has already formed six Village VCTs in different
areas. The Village VCT is responsible for the implementation of the field works while the other two
tiers are involved in advocacy and monitoring of the Village VCT. Some encouraging progress has
been made over the past couple of years, by bringing in local people, the Forest Department, the
veterinary drug sector and other stakeholders together to conserve vultures through reduction of
harmful drug use and habitat improvement along with better protection of the vulture nesting sites by
involving community watches and fencing and large reductions in Diclofenac use. Six village VCTs
consist of 71 people. The members of a VCT meet bi-monthly to assess their activities and
drawbacks. The major activities of village VCTs include – 1. Monitoring and protection of vulture nests
and nesting trees; 2. Rescue of vultures; 3. food supply to vultures; 4. an awareness campaign
(Alam et.al. 2015).
Conclusion After two years of conservation practices, government declared VSZs have been established where
government approved Vulture Conservation Teams (VCTs) are now working towards the
management of these zones. The population trend of vultures is known and the presence of harmful
drugs in VSZs has been assessed. The community-based vulture monitoring shows that the breeding
success of vultures in VSZ-1 (vulture hotspot) increased from 53% to 66% within two years. The
banning of ketoprofen is on-going. Furthermore, a vulture feeding station has been introduced to
provide safe supplemental food. A new hope is initiated for vultures through the implementation of the
Bangladesh Vulture Conservation Action Plan (BVCAP). Details of this data and analysis will be
prepared in an upcoming book that focuses on vulture conservation measures and challenges in
Bangladesh.
38
References
Alam, A.B.M.S. 2015a. White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) Conservation in
Bangladesh:Establishment of Toxic Drug Free Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) and Monitoring of the Population Trend projrct Quarterly Progress Report (October-December, 2015). IUCN, Bangladesh.
Alam, A.B.M.S. 2015b. White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) Conservation in Bangladesh:Establishment of Toxic Drug Free Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) and Monitoring of the Population Trend projrct Annual Progress Report (March 2014-February, 2015). IUCN, Bangladesh.
Alam, A.B.M.S., Ahammed, R., Rawshan, K., Nasim, R. 2015. Shokun Porjobekhon Sohayeka. IUCN, Bangladesh.
Khan, M. M. H. 2012. White-rumped Vulture in Bangladesh-population, breeding and threats. Dhaka:Vulture Research and Conservation Programme of Bangladesh.
SAVE 2016. 5th Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction Annual Report, including Blueprint for
Recovery. Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK.
39
Paper 5: A decade of vulture conservation in Nepal
By: Khadananda Paudel1, 2*, Toby H. Galligan3, Krishna P. Bhusal1, Ishana Thapa1, Richard J. Cuthbert3, 4, Christopher G. R. Bowden5, Racchya Shah6,
Narendra M. B. Pradhan1
1 Bird Conservation Nepal, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
2 Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavreplanchowk, Nepal
3 RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge , Sandy , SG19 2DL UK
4 Wildlife Conservation Society, PO Box 277, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province , Papua New
Guinea . 5 Globally Threatened Species Recovery Unit, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, SG19 2DL UK
6 IUCN Nepal, Kupandole, Lalitpur, Nepal
* Corresponding author: Khadananda Paudel, email: [email protected]
Abstract Nine species of vultures have been recorded in Nepal. Seven species have undergone considerable
decline in recent years and have had their global threat status lifted. In Nepal, the non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drug diclofenac, to which vultures are highly intolerant, but exposed to through the
carcasses of treated livestock, caused massive declines in vulture populations. In order to halt the
declines, veterinary diclofenac was banned, Vulture Conservation Action Plans for Nepal (2009-13
and 2015-19) were prepared and implemented, and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) and the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) assumed the mantle of vulture conservation. BCN-RSPB
initiated an integrated approach, which involved advocacy, education, monitoring, research, captive
breeding, supplementary feeding and site protection. BCN-RSPB established a Vulture Conservation
Breeding Centre and pioneered Diclofenac-Free Districts, Vulture Safe Feeding Sites and Vulture
Safe Zones. The provisional Vulture Safe Zone in Nepal covers more than half of the country with
essentially no diclofenac available. In response, vulture populations are stable and nest numbers are
likely to be increasing. However, vultures remain vulnerable; therefore, conservation actions need to
continue.
Key words: vulture, considerable decline, Vulture Safe Zone, Diclofenac Free
Districts, Vulture Safe Feeding Sites, captive breeding.
Introduction Nine species of vultures have been recorded in Nepal, namely: the White-rumped Vulture Gyps
bengalensis (WRV), Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris (SBV), Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps
calvus (RHV), Indian Vulture Gyps indicus (IV), Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (EV),
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus (BV), Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis (HG ), Cinereous
Vulture Aegypius monachus (CV) and Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (GV) (BCN and DNPWC, 2016).
Among these six (WRV, SBV, RHV, EV, BV and HG) are resident breeders, one is a winter migrant
(CV), one is a passage migrant (GV) and one is a vagrant species (IV) (BCN and DNPWC, 2011;
DNPWC, 2015).
Four species (WRV, SBV, RHV and IV) are listed as Critically Endangered, one species (EV)
is listed as Endangered and another three species are listed as Near Threatened (BV, CV, HG) by
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2016). In all cases, these species have
had their threat status recently updated in response to massive population declines primarily in South
Asia. Nationwide road-transect surveys in the lowlands of Nepal between 1995 and 2011 showed
91% and 96% declines in populations of the WRV and SBV respectively (Chaudhary et al., 2012).
40
Declines of similar magnitude and timing in up to five species of vultures have been observed in
Bangladesh (Khan, 2013), India (Prakash et al., 2012; Galligan et al., 2014) and Pakistan (Gilbert et
al., 2006).
The cause of declines in Gyps vultures has been shown to be the non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac (Oaks et al., 2004, Swarup et al., 2007, Green et al., 2004,
2007), which was widely used to treat livestock in South Asia in the 1990s and 2000s. Vultures are
exposed to diclofenac by feeding on livestock carcasses that contain residues of this drug. A post-
mortem examination of dead or dying birds from India and Nepal showed a high incidence of
diclofenac residues and visceral gout (Shultz et al., 2004). Mathematical modeling of data indicated
that only a small proportion (1 in 130) of carcasses contaminated with lethal levels of diclofenac could
have caused the vulture mortality rate, and diclofenac poisoning was the main or sole cause of vulture
population declines (Green et al., 2004, 2007).
Diclofenac is nephrotoxic at low doses to all species of Gyps vultures tested so far (Oaks et
al., 2004, Swan et al., 2006, Naidoo et al., 2009, Das et al., 2010); possibly other vulture species too,
given the similarity in the magnitude and timing of declines in these species (Acharya et al., 2010,
Galligan et al., 2014); and probably other raptors (Sharma et al., 2014). Other NSAIDs currently
available in Nepal are vulture-toxic too, specifically: aceclofenac (Galligan et al., 2016); ketoprofen
(Naidoo et al., 2009); and nimesulide (Cuthbert et al., 2015). The toxicity of yet more remain
unknown. The recovery of threatened vulture species in Nepal relies on the control of all of these
vulture-toxic NSAIDs.
Conservation actions in Nepal In order to halt the decline of Gyps vultures in Nepal, both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of these
birds has been practiced. The Government of Nepal banned the production and use of veterinary
diclofenac in 2006; prepared and implemented the Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2009-
13); and prepared the Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2015-19), which is currently being
implemented (DNPWC, 2015). Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) and the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds (RSPB) assumed the mantle of vulture conservation in Nepal. BCN-RSPB initiated
an integrated approach for the conservation of vultures, which involves advocacy, education,
monitoring, research, captive breeding, supplementary feeding and site protection to help implement
Vulture Conservation Action Plans. In 2008, a Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre was established
in Chitwan National Park in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation and Nepal Trust for Nature Conservation; and, starting in 2009, BCN-RSPB pioneered
the idea of working with local communities to establish Diclofenac-Free Districts (DFD), Vulture Safe
Feeding Sites (VSFS) and the greater Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) (Figure 1; Paudel, 2013).
In-situ Conservation BCN-RSPB’s main in-situ conservation activity is the creation of a VSZ, which is an area greater than
30,000 km2 that encompasses at least one Gyps vulture nesting colony, suitable foraging habitat and
food sources free of diclofenac. The provisional VSZ (pVSZ) in the western lowlands of Nepal extends
from Chitwan district to Kanchanpur district and covers an area of 99, 143 km2 (Figure 1). BCN-RSPB
work with entire communities within the pVSZ to bring an end to diclofenac and other threats to
vultures. In doing so, BCN-RSPB engage government agencies, non-government organizations and
community groups to further disseminate vulture conservation messages and take actions to protect
vultures. BCN’s Vulture Conservation Programme Team, which includes a Coordinator, Community
Mobiliser, Field Veterinarian and Field Biologist, regularly communicate with the community; monitor
vulture populations and the prevalence of diclofenac; and investigate additional threats to vultures.
Approximately 30 nesting colonies of vultures (largely WRV, but all other resident breeders) are
protected within the pVSZ. Following this lead, provisional VSZs are now being implemented in
Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
The pVSZ is made up of 45 DFDs, with another four satellite DFDs outside the pVSZ (Figure
1). The pVSZ is expanded by focusing conservation efforts at the district level, engaging district
government agencies and creating DFDs. A DFD is one where district government agencies have
41
sworn to end veterinary use of diclofenac; and where monitoring veterinary pharmacies show no
diclofenac availability.
Within the pVSZ, six community-run VSFS have been established. Communities at these
sites take in old and ailing cattle from local farmers and care for these animals, without the use of
vulture-toxic NSAIDs, until their natural death and then provide their carcasses to vultures. Only
animals that die after 10 days in the care of the community are provided in case these animals were
treated with NSAIDs before arriving at the VSFS. The communities sell the hides, bones and manure
in return for caring for the cattle and vultures. These communities are further supported with income
generating activities, such as setting up bee, fish and chicken farms, purchasing pumps for irrigating
cropland and attracting tourists to visit the sites. VSFSs provide nature enthusiasts a rare opportunity
to see significant numbers of multiple threatened species, the thrilling spectacle of vultures feeding,
and vulture conservation messages.
On a national scale, BCN-RSPB advocate bans on vulture-toxic NSAIDs, like aceclofenac,
ketoprofen and nimesulide, to government agencies. In addition, BCN-RSPB have convinced a
pharmaceuticals manufacturer to discontinue the production and sale of a multiple dose (30 ml)
formulation of diclofenac intended for human use, but suitable for livestock use.
Figure 1: Map of Nepal showing Diclofenac-Free Districts (area shaded green).
Ex-situ Conservation VCBC was established as an insurance against the continuing decline of Gyps vultures. It currently
houses 57 WRVs in two colony aviaries. Vultures were taken as fledglings from the wild to stock the
centre in 2008. Only two pairs have successfully reared a chick to date; but now that the vultures are
mature, their attempts at rearing young have been more successful. Special, husbandry and
veterinary support is provided by the International Centre for Birds of Prey and Zoological Society of
London.
42
Achievements The availability of diclofenac in the pVSZ is essentially zero. BCN-RSPB overt surveys found no
diclofenac in 300 veterinary pharmacies between 2012 and 2013; however, diclofenac was found in
covert surveys in two towns in the same period. BCN-RSPB stepped-up its conservation actions;
resurveyed veterinary pharmacies in 2014 and again in 2015; and found no diclofenac in the 85 towns
and cities surveyed each year. As a result, this now appears to be among the safer areas for vultures
in the subcontinent in this respect.
The overall nest numbers of WRV in the pVSZ (Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang,
Kailali and Kanchanpur districts) is likely to increase (Figure 2). The increase has been gradual, as is
to be expected. Surveys at WRV nesting colonies in the 2014-2015 breeding season found 130 more
nests than in the 2009-2010 breeding season. Across the years, new nesting colonies and the nests
within have been added to the overall total. Some of these may be colonies that were not found in
earlier years, but others may actually be new colonies, as can be expected from a recovering
population.
The population trend for WRVs in the pVSZ is stable (Figure 3). Each year, BCN-RSPB
survey vultures along a road transect running east to west through the pVSZ. After the devastating
years of decline, little population change between 2009 and 2015 has been noticed; however, the
population of this species and other vultures remain small and therefore vulnerable.
Figure 2: absolute count of active nest of WRV during surveys in the pVSZ (2009-2015).
43
Figure 3: absolute count of WRVs during road transect survey in the pVSZ (2002-2015).
Conclusions and Recommendations A decade of continual vulture conservation actions in Nepal has engaged whole communities not to
use diclofenac for veterinary purposes and made more than half the country theoretically safe for
vultures. In response, vulture populations have stabilised and may be increasing slowly. Keeping
account of this progress, the Government of Nepal has planned to release vultures from the VCBC
into the pVSZ (DNPWC, 2015).
However, all populations remain small and therefore vulnerable. The population size of all
vulture species that have been recorded in Nepal was estimated at around 500,000 in the 1990s and
the current estimated number of all vulture species is only around 20,000. It is very difficult for animals
that have undergone large declines, as vultures have, to return to their former numbers. Action to rid
Nepal of vulture-toxic NSAIDs needs to continue. Monitoring of vultures and NSAIDs should continue
as well as strong community engagement. New research assessing the relative impact of additional
threats to small populations of vultures in Nepal (e.g. direct human persecution, unintentional (aka
secondary) poisoning and electrocution) is needed as these may prevent the restoration of vulture
populations. Moreover, it is recommended to expand and intensify vulture conservation actions in
eastern districts, thereby making all of Nepal a Vulture Safe Zone.
44
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vultures: A new threat from Ketoprofen. Biology Letters, 6: 339–341
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Oaks, J. L., M. Gilbert, M. Z. Virani, R. T. Watson, C. U. Meteyer, B. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad, S.
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46
Paper 6: Impact of vulture conservation efforts in
western lowlands Terai of Nepal
By: Surya Man Shrestha
Madhyapur Thimi-13, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
This study is an attempt to know about the impact of vulture conservation programs (VCPs) initiated in
various districts of the western lowlands, the Terai, of Nepal. During this research, the considered
impact parameters were population and nesting trend; habitat use and its status, and the awareness
level of local people.
Population and nest monitoring of vultures was carried out using a “Strip Transect Survey” covering
94 km of aerial distance and “Extensive Search” methods respectively. To know about the awareness
level of the local people, questionnaire surveys were conducted in 210 households using random and
systematic mix sampling method.
A total of 279 individuals belonging to six different species were recorded. The vulture species and
their respective numbers were: White-rumped Vulture (180), Himalayan Griffon (72), Cinereous
Vulture (11), Egyptian Vulture (9), Red-headed Vulture (5), Slender-billed Vulture (1) and an
unidentified species (1). The density of the vulture population was estimated to be about 6.84
vultures/sq. km and the encounter rate was 3 individuals/km. The maximum flock size was 71
individuals. The population trend was found satisfactory compared to the high rates of population
decline for vultures in the past, before the initiation of vulture conservation programs. But the nesting
pattern in all surveyed districts was declining.
Habitat such as Shorea robusta forest (27.61%), riverine forest (24.18%), river bed (Flood plain)
(16.16%), agricultural land with scattered trees (14.82%), and Terminalia Forest (12.65%) were found
mostly used by the vultures. The trees mostly used for roosting were Terminalia tomentosa (48.50%),
Bombax ceiba (22.40%), and Shorea robusta (20.10%). The preferred tree height for roosting was 20
m above ground level. The preferred tree species for nesting were Terminalia tomentosa (44.70%),
Bombax ceiba (40.40%), and Shorea robusta (12.70%), which were similar to the tree species
preferred for roosting. Preferred nesting height was found to be 24 m above ground level.
Initiated VCPs in the area had informed the local people about the ecological importance of vultures
and are getting their support in vulture conservation. Along with this, the programs had not only
contributed to stabilizing the vulture population, which was rapidly in decline, they had also attracted
non-resident vultures to the region. In addition, VCPs were found to play an instrumental role in
conservation awareness and improvement in the livelihoods of local communities.
This study also documented existing challenges to vulture conservation that are not addressed by the
VCPs. Some of the greater threats are the loss of tall and old Bombax ceiba and Terminalia
tomentosa trees that provide nesting and roosting colonies to vultures but are rampantly being felled
by people. Hence, this study recommends and urges conservation organizations and local initiatives
to focus on habitat management including the protection of nesting and roosting colonies for the long
term conservation of this species.
Key words: vulture, conservation, population, habitat, Nepal
47
Introduction Vultures are large, short-tailed, solitary birds of prey (Ward et al., 2008), belonging to family
Accipitride and order Falconiformes (BirdLife International, 2014). Vultures are keystone species that
provide vital ecosystem services by cleaning up the environment as scavengers (Thakur et al., 2012).
Vultures are mainly carrion feeders, consuming both fresh and putrid dead animals (Harris 2013).
Most of vultures primarily consume carrion but Lammergeier Vultures (LVs) (Gypaetus barbatus)
subsist mainly on bones (Myers et al., 2014).
Nepal is a home to all nine species of vultures that are found in South Asia. Out of the nine species,
the White-rumped Vulture (WRV) (Gyps bengalensis), Slender-billed Vulture (SBV) (Gyps
tenuirostris), Himalayan Griffon (HG) (Gyps himalayensis), Red-headed Vulture (RHV) (Sarcogyps
calvus), Egyptian Vulture (EV) (Neophron percnopterus) and LV are resident to Nepal whereas the
Eurasian Griffon (EG) (Gyps fulvus) and Cinereous Vulture (CV) (Aegypius monachus) are winter
visitors (DNPWC/MoFSC/GoN, 2009; Harris 2013). The LV (Gyps indicus) has been recently reported
in Nepal though earlier, it was considered to be found only in India and Pakistan (DeCandido et al.,
2012). Among the nine species of Gyps Vultures, four species namely WRV, LV, SBV and HV are
endemic to Asia (Prakash et al., 2012). Among these four species of vultures, three species (except
HV) are endemic to South and South-East Asia (Ghorpade et al., 2012).
In recent years, vulture population have faced a dramatic decline in numbers throughout their range
(DNPWC/MoFSC/GoN, 2009). A study indicated a decline in the vulture population by more than 90%
till 2001 (Baral et al., 2004, Shultz et al., 2004). Now, it has been widely known that Diclofenac, a
Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), widely used to treat livestock, is the major cause of
death among vultures. Diclofenac contains chemicals that cause kidney failure in vultures (Oaks et
al., 2004; Green et al., 2004; Shultz et al., 2004, Pain et al., 2008, Bowden et al., 2012). Other threats
to vultures include habitat loss, and the consumption of food contaminated with poison used to kill
leopards, jackals, rats, cats, and dogs etc. (Gorman, 2004).
To revive the population of vultures in the wild, since more than a decade, the Government of Nepal
has implemented various conservation programs in the field in cooperation with various national,
regional and international organizations. The major ones are the Department of National Park and
Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Bird
Conservation Nepal (BCN), WWF-Nepal, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), the Zoological
Society of London (ZSL), The Peregrine Fund-United States of America (TPF-USA) and the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). This study is the first of its kind that evaluated the impact
and efficacy of vulture conservation efforts in the western lowlands of Nepal. The study specifically
explored various aspects of the conservation impacts that vulture conservation programs (VCPs)
have brought in terms of change in the biological population (nests, population and species), and the
increase in awareness levels that directly contributed to the conservation of the species.
Methods
Study Area
This study was undertaken in three districts of the lowlands, namely Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and
Dang districts, where Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFSs) have been established, field surveys were
carried out in government managed forests, community managed forests and agricultural land areas
of the respective districts and existing roosting and breeding colonies of vultures.
Data Collection Methods
Before the actual field survey, a one day reconnaissance survey was done in each district. The data
on nesting colonies was collected after identifying potential sites through focal group discussion and
interaction with local people. The sites mentioned by all forest users were surveyed to gather firsthand
information on roosting and nesting colonies by following “Stripe Transect” and “Extensive Search”
48
methods (Hill et al., 2005) to estimate the present status of the vulture population and for recording
the number of nests in study areas respectively.
To avoid bias caused by differential detection of species due to visibility distance i.e. long distance
visibility in open area and short distance visibility in closed canopy area, vultures sightings were
recorded at the pre-determined interval of 300 m on either side of the centre line in an open area and
200 m in a closed canopy area (Diefenbach et al., 2003; Norvell et al., 2003; and Dun et al., 2006).
Details of existing vulture nesting sites, such as habitat types, vulture and nest observed tree height,
tree species and GPS (Global Positioning System) point etc. were also noted in standard form. The
roosting and nesting sites were monitored early in the morning (0630-0930 hrs) and late in the
evening (1730-1930 hrs) (Baral and Gautam 2007). Only single time observation was done in each
survey route.
For household surveys, a VSFS was taken as the center point, and households within a 3 km buffer
zone were included. The number of households was determined following a one day reconnaissance
survey and road map observation carried out one day before the actual field survey (EU-MIDIS 2009;
Barreiro and Albandoz 2001). This resulted in 60-75 households for each district (Nawalparasi: 75
Housholds, Rupandehi: 75 households, and Dang: 60 Households). During the survey, the first
household was selected using a “Random Selection Method” (Gupta 2005) and the next household
was selected in systematic way i.e. “Every Fifth Dwelling Selection” (EU-MIDIS 2009).
Results The entire survey was carried out in three districts of the western lowlands of Nepal i.e. Dang,
Rupandehi, and Nawalparasi, from January 20 to February 15, 2014. The total sampling effort of 94
km was invested in three districts. Household surveys were carried out in 210 households.
Current Population of Vultures in Lowlands This survey recorded 279 individual vultures with a density of 6.84 individuals per sq. km, belonging to
six species of vultures (Table 1). The district-wise vulture population was found to be highest in
Nawalparasi, followed by Dang. An encounter rate of vultures in the area was 3 vultures per km (“sd”:
9, Mode “Mo”: 0) and the maximum flock size observed was 71 individuals.
Table 1: Number of vulture observed in surveyed districts
Vulture Species
Districts
Dang Nawalparasi Rupandehi
Ne
t T
ota
l
Ad
ult
Su
b-A
du
lt
To
tal
Ad
ult
Su
b-A
du
lt
To
tal
Ad
ult
Su
b-A
du
lt
To
tal
WRV 41 3 44 101 101 31 4 35 180
HG 13 1 14 49 49 8 1 9 72
CV 4 4 7 7 11
EV 4 1 5 2 2 2 2 9
RHV 2 1 3 2 2 5
SBV 1 1 1
Unidentified 1 1 1
Total 65 6 71 155 0 155 46 7 53 279
49
Among the observed six vulture species, the WRV was found to be the common vulture species
(Relative Density “RD”: 0.65; Rank “r”: 1) followed by HG (r: 2; RD: 0.26). In comparison to other
vulture species, SBV was found as very rear abundant vulture species in the area (RD 0.004, r: 6)
(Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Relative density of six vulture species found during the survey.
Nesting Status of Resident and Seasonal Visitors of Nepal
Four nesting colonies were found. One colony in Pithouli of Nawlaparasi; one in Piparichapa of
Rudrapur, Rupandehi; and two colonies in Kaptangunj of Satbariya; and Jethangaun of Gobardiya,
Dang district. A total of 47 nests were recorded; 19 in Dang, 9 in Rupandehi and 19 in Nawalparasi.
Of the 47 nests, 44 were of the WRV, one was of the EV, and two nests belonged to an unidentified
vulture species.
Habitat use by vulture species of Nepal in the Lowlands Among the surveyed habitats, Shorea robusta forests (27.61%), riverine forests (24.18%), river beds
(Flood plains) (16.16%), agricultural lands with scattered trees (14.82%), and Terminalia Forest
(12.65%) were the dominant habitats for roosting (Table 2). Acacia catechu-Dalbargia sisoo forests
(3.36%) and grass lands (1.23%) were less used habitat.
Table 2: Habitat use by vulture species in western lowlands Terai of Nepal
Habitat Type Percentage (%)
Shorea robusta forest 27.61
Riverine forest 24.18
River bed (Flood plain) 16.16
Agriculture land with scattered trees 14.82
Terminalia Forest 12.65
Acacia catechu-Dalbargia sissoo Forest 3.36
Grass Land 1.23
Tree Species Used by Vultures for Roosting
In total, vultures were observed roosting in six tree species. Among them, most vultures were found
roosting in Terminalia tomentosa, Shorea robusta and Bombax ceiba (Table 3). The tree height most
0.65
0.26
0.04 0.03 0.02 0.004
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
WRV (r: 1) HG (r: 2) CV (r: 3) EV (r: 4) RHV (r: 5) SBV (r: 6)
Rel
ati
ve
Den
sity
Vulture Species (r: rank) *𝝨di = 6.84 ind/km2
50
preferred by vultures for roosting ranged from 25-30 m. There were very few vultures observed
roosting below the tree height of 20 m (Fig. 2).
Table 3: Tree Species Use by Vulture for Roosting
Tree Species Roosting Nesting Trees of WRV
Saaj (Terminalia tomentosa) 48.50% 44.70%
Sal (Shorea robusta) 20.10% 12.76%
Simal (Bombax ceiba) 22.40% 40.40%
Khayar (Acacia catechu) 4.50%
Barro (Terminalia bellerica) 3.00%
Karma (Adina cordifolia) 1.50% 2.14%
Figure 2: Vulture observed at various heights of trees
Tree Species Use by the WRV for Nesting Tree species preferred by WRVs were dominantly Terminalia tomentosa (44.70%) followed by
Bombax ceiba (40.40%), and Shorea robusta (12.76%). Some WRV nests were also found in Adina
cordifolia (2.14%) (Table 3). Most of the nests were found between the heights of 24 m and 32 m from
ground level. No nest was found below a tree height of 20 m (Fig. 3).
1.42%
4.26%
27.66%
37.59%
29.08%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
(10-15) (15-20) (20-25) (25-30) (30-35)
No
. o
f v
ult
ure
ob
serv
ed
Range of tree height (m)
51
Figure 3: Vultures' nesting height of the trees
Results from Household Questionnaire Survey
To know about the perspective of local people regarding the impact of vulture conservation activities
initiated in the community, household surveys were carried out covering 210 households. Out of
these, most of were living in the area since two generations (59.52%), 34.76% since 3 generations
and 2.38% had recently migrated to the area.
Local people’s opinion: Vulture Conservation Initiatives
In all the districts surveyed, people were found to have a positive response towards vulture
conservation, with 76%, 51% and 28.6% in Nawalparasi, Dang and Rupandehi respectively. Only 2%
of the respondents in Dang considered these initiatives were not really beneficial, or had drawbacks,
such as poor management of old livestock kept in old livestock homes. The VSFS in Nawalparasi was
successful in achieving greater community support for vulture conservation as compared to Dang and
Rupandehi.
Awareness level on harmful impact of veterinary drug Diclofenac
The average percentage of aware respondents in all the districts surveyed was 20.95%. Higher
awareness levels was found in Nawalparasi (33.3%) followed by Dang (21.61%), and Rupandehi
(8%).
Use of Diclofenac for treating livestock
Of the total respondents (N=181) who owned livestock, 24.31% (n=44) of them didn’t use Diclofenac
at all. Of the total who knew about Diclofenac, 12 (6.62%) respondents were found to have used
Diclofenac till a few years ago, and had stopped using it when they got to know about its harmful
impact on the ecosystem. Of these respondents, 9 were currently using alternative drugs e.g.
Meloxicam. Also, the household survey was able to confirm 11 different drugs (Embazin Forte,
Vitamin, Meloxicam, Osto vet, Livotas, Brufex, Ceftriax, CTZ, Amoxocillin, Bolin Tablet and
Oxyclosanide). However, 69% of the respondents were unable to give an exact answer about the use
of Diclofenac for treating livestock in the past 5 years. During the survey, none of the respondents
were found to have been using Diclofenac for treating livestock at present. Field investigation of the
nearest government and private veterinary clinic didn’t record Diclofenac in the store or its sale to the
local people, also supporting the ban of Diclofenac in the study area.
4.26%
6.38%
25.53%
23.40%
14.89%
19.15%
4.26%
2.13%
0% 10% 20% 30%
20-22
22-24
24-26
26-28
28-30
30-32
32-34
34-36
Percent
Nes
t ex
isti
ng
hei
gh
t o
f tr
ee
(ra
ng
e m
)
52
Status of vulture after the launch of conservation programs
To analyze the vulture population trend data, respondents who lived in the locality for over 10 years
were considered. Majority of the respondents (84.76%) believed that the vulture population is
increasing.
Forest product collection and environmental changes in locality after VCPs
Forest product collection has decreased following the launch of VCPs. Majority of the respondents
(31.43%) believed there was a decrease in illegal forest product collection and deforestation; 33%
believed no environmental changes had occurred, while 15% believed there had been an increase in
the collection of illegal forest products.
The environmental change was more evident in Dang where respondents informed researchers that a
previously degraded forest, around the existing VSFS, has now been converted to a lush green forest,
spring sources have recovered, and number of wildlife in the area have increased. They further
reported that when vultures weren’t around a few years ago, the carcasses used to stink badly,
thereby affecting the health conditions of the people.
On average, 71% of respondents believed there have been significant environmental changes in their
locality, i.e. 90%, 52% and 74.67% in Dang, Nawalparasi and Rupandehi respectively. Besides the
conservation of natural resources, VCPs were also supporting better public health through the supply
of safe drinking water in areas nearby VSFS. Respondents also agreed that the timely disposal of
carcasses through vulture feeding has prevented health hazards in their locality.
But in contrast to this, during the field survey, tree felling and land worked on by shifting cultivators
was observed (about 100 m distance) near VSFSs, and heavy grazing and tree felling was observed
in the vulture breeding colony of Piparichapa, Rudrapur VDC of Rupandehi. At Kaptangunj-3,
Satbariya VDC of Dang, about 50% of roosting trees (including nests existing in trees) were girdled
i.e. “ring barked and ready to be felled”.
The respondents also did mention the problematic incident in Rupandehi when carcasses in the
VSFS were not eaten by the vultures for several days, releasing an unpleasant odor into the nearby
villages, and leading to illnesses in local people. Some of the respondents also reported an increasing
number of stray dogs that come to feed on leftover carcasses. These dogs spread the bones around
the VSFS and local people are scared of being bitten by them.
Discussion
Population Trend of Vultures in the Lowlands During the course of this study, a total of 279 individual vultures belonging to six species were
observed. Among the observed vultures, the CV is a winter visitor to Nepal. Other species such as the
WRV, EV, HG, RHV and SBV are resident breeders in Nepal (DNPWC 2015). An official record of
the VSFSs (unpublished) shows that there are more two vulture species in the area and there are
LBVs (vagrant species) and EGs (Passage migrant). Before the initiation of VCPs in the area, there
used to be only 2-3 species.
The WRV was found to be the most common species in the study area with 0.65 RD (r: 1), followed
by the HG (RD: 0.26, r: 2). The SBV was found to be the most rare vulture species (RD 0.004, r: 6) in
the lowland of Terai. During this study, 180 WRVs were observed, which is very high in comparison to
the number observed by BCN (2014) i.e. 68 WRVs, during the 10th national east-west highway
transect survey for WRVs. The large difference in the number of WRVs observed may be due to the
different methodologies used, and to the different areas covered by the two surveys.
53
Interviewed local people opined that after the initiation of VCPs in the area, there has been an
increase in the vulture population. But most of the interviewed experts, researchers and staffs working
on VCPs opined that the vulture’s population has been just slow down the declining rate that was very
high till 2011. According to Harris (2013), the WRV population has declined by 91% between 1995
and 2011, with an annual rate of decline of 13.7%; during same period, the SBV population declined
by 96%, with an annual rate of decline of 18.7% in Nepal. The population trend index reported by
Chaudhary et al. (2012) from the east-west highway transect survey of Western, Mid Western and Far
Western development regions of the lowlands shows that there was high rate of decline of the WRV,
from 205 individuals in 2002 to 111 individuals in 2008. The population index shows a near to stable
population of the WRV after 2009 in the western lowlands of Nepal i.e. 52 individuals in 2009, 66
individuals in 2010, 68 individuals in 2011 (Chaudhary et al. 2012) and 68 WRVs in 2014 (BCN 2014).
So, field observation, the opinions of local people and staff working for VCPs, and a review of the
available recent data concludes that the rate of decline of vultures has slowed down in the western
lowlands of Nepal. Data from more recent studies of South Asia also shows that declines throughout
the region have slowed and possibly reversed following the banning of veterinary Diclofenac
(Chaudary et al., 2012; Prakash et al. 2012, Galligan et al. 2014, and DNPWC 2015).
Nesting Trend of Vulture in Lowland A total of 47 vultures’ nests were recorded from four nesting colonies in Nawalparasi (1 colony),
Rupandehi (1 colony) and Dang (2 Colonies). District-wise records of nests showed 19 nests each in
Nawalparasi and Dang and 9 nests in Rupandehi district. The nest records reported by Thapa/BCN
(2013) in Dang (69), Nawalparasi (65) and Rupandehi (25) are much higher compared to the present
study, suggesting declining nesting trends.
The decline in nesting trends can be attributed to the recent destruction of nesting colonies of
vultures, as observed during this survey. The protection of nesting and roosting sites is one of the
serious challenge for vulture conservation in Nepal (Baral and Gautam, 2007). Intensive livestock
grazing and tree felling was recorded in vulture breeding colonies in Piparichapa, Rudrapur VDC of
Rupandehi. Similarly, 50% of the roosting and nesting trees were girdled i.e. “ring barked and ready to
be felled” at Kaptangunj-3, Satbariya VDC, Dang. So, these two colonies, among the four monitored
colonies, are most vulnerable. Baral and Gautam (2007) also reported declining nesting patterns in
Rampur Valley by 25.7% from 2002-2007. But annual nest monitoring conducted by BCN since
2009/10 to 2013/14 in Nawalparsi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Arghakhanchi,
Palpa, Syangja, Tanahun, Kaski and Bitadi districts shows an increasing number of active nests of
the WRV. In the breeding season of 2013/014, BCN found a total of 388 active nests of WRVs (BCN
2014). This indicates that the number of vultures’ nest in the western lowlands might be only locally
declining or fluctuating.
Habitat Use by Vulture Species During the course of this study, vultures were recorded in six different habitats. Most of the vultures
were record in Shorea robusta forests, followed by riverine forests, river beds, agriculture land with
scattered trees, and Terminally forests. According to Grimmett et al., (2000), Prakash et al., (2003),
and Gilbert et al., (2007) vultures avoid such places near human habitation and open areas. As per
the preference of tree species for nesting and roosting, Terminalia tomentosa was found to have been
preferred most for roosting and nesting, while the second most preferred tree species for roosting was
Shorea robusta, and for nesting, Bombax ceiba. The nesting preference determined from this study is
different from the study by Baral and Gautam (2007) who reported a preference for Ceiba pentandra
and Acacia catechu trees in Pokhara valley for nesting. Similarly, the team had reported six species of
nesting trees in Syanja and Tanahu districts. Of them, most of the nests were in Ceiba pentandra and
Shorea robusta trees. They are also known to use other varieties of trees for nesting, such as
Dalbergia sissoo, Mangiferta indica, and Ficus bengalensis (Ali and Ripley 1987). This shows a
difference in preferred nesting trees depending on the geographic region and the availability of tall
trees in the area.
54
Awareness Level of the Local People regarding Vulture Conservation Before the initiation of VCPs in the area, local people used to take vultures as a sign of bad luck, so
they used to destroy their nests and kill them. This perception has been changed, and now people
have begun to regard the vulture as an important creature which helps to keep the surrounding
environment clean. This is very great achievement for vulture conservation in the area (WWF-Nepal,
2010). Local people had also given positive feedback about the ongoing VCPs in the area. But
regarding the negative impacts of Diclofenac, awareness among the local people was low Even
though there has been a complete ban on the veterinary use of Diclofenac, there is still a risk of
Diclofenac being bought illegally near the Indian border (DNPWC 2015), since there is an open
border between Nepal and India, due to lack of awareness about it. So a complete ban on Diclofenac
is a must, and awareness regarding this ban must be spread at the household level. (Taggart, 2009).
The NSAID Meloxicam is safe for vultures and a range of scavenging birds (Swan et al., 2005,
Swarup et al., 2007, and Taggart et al., 2009), hence its wide promotion is needed as an alternative to
Diclofenac. VSFSs are only a means to reduce vulture mortality through a safe supply of food, and
unless Diclofenac is completely withdrawn from veterinary use across vultures range, promotion of
VSFS cannot represent a valuable interim measure in slowing the vulture population decline (Gilbert
et al., 2007).
Opportunities and livelihood support provided by VCPs VCPs have not only been able to bring back vultures from the brink of extinction in the area, but they
have also created opportunities and livelihood support for the local people. VCPs provide alternative
income-generating activities for the local people, who are therefore increasingly supportive of them
. Similarly, the VSFS in Nawlaparasi is supporting development works in the locality from its internal
financial source. The VSFS in Dang has provided safe drinking water in the area. It has also restored
degraded forest area through a participatory plantation program with community people and other
community forest user groups in the area. Due to the influx of national and international tourists in the
VSFS, local youths are getting an opportunity to work as tourist guides and community people are
running “Home stays”, from which they are able to earn extra income.
Conclusion This study concludes that the VCPs initiated in the western lowlands of Terai have been successful in
bringing the vulture back from the brink of extinction in the area. VCPs have not only slowed down the
rate of decline of the vulture population, but they have also increased the number of visiting vulture
species in the area.
This study also documented the importance of vulture conservation initiatives and their role in
improving the environment and livelihoods of the local people. VCPs were found to have provided
opportunities for employment, and generated alternative sources of income through eco-tourism
(home stays, small tea shops, nature guides etc). Besides this, the other visible outcomes are the
improvement in forest quality in Dang after the initiation of OACH/VCC, increased awareness in the
use of the harmful drug Diclofenac, and a clean and healthy environment.
Some of the existing challenges to vulture conservation that are not addressed by the current
conservation initiatives are the loss of tall and old Bombax ceiba, Terminalia tomentosa, Shorea
robusta and Adina cordifolia that provide nesting colonies to the vultures. Similarly the practice of
forest area encroachment close to VSFS is a serious threat resulting in continuous girdling and felling
of trees.
Even though VCPs have gained considerable success in developing a positive attitude towards
vultures, spreading biodiversity conservation knowledge to the local people, and gaining their support,
awareness regarding the negative impacts of Diclofenac is still low and needs to be addressed
immediately.
55
Overall, the impact of vulture conservation efforts in the western lowlands of Nepal is appreciable.
Recommendations To give continuity to the success gained, and for the long term conservation of vulture species in the
area, on the basis of these results, the following recommendations are made:
Current community conservation initiatives are only concentrated around food (livestock
feed); for long term conservation success, programs need to focus on habitat management,
including the protection of nesting and roosting colonies.
Presently, the awareness level relating to the harmful impact of the veterinary drug Diclofenac
in the lowlands of Terai is low. Hence, conservation awareness programmes should be
implemented aggressively in lowland Terai.
Safe feeding sites need to be well fenced so as to prevent feral dogs from entering the site
and competing with vultures by spreading the leftover carcasses.
Acknowledgement I would like to express my gratitude to USAID/WWF-Nepal/Hario Ban Program, Baluwatar,
Kathmandu, Nepal without which this study wouldn’t have been possible. I am grateful to Ms. Judy
Oglethorpe, Chief of the Party, Hariyo Ban Program and Dr. Shanta Raj Jnawali, Biodiversity
Coordinator, USAID/WWF-Nepal/Hario Ban Program for reviewing my research proposal, believing in
me and providing the study grant. My sincere gratitude and appreciation also goes to Ms. Sabita
Malla, Mr. Tej Kumar Shrestha, Mr. Kamal Raj Gosai, Mr. Khadananda Poudel for their support and
guidance for conducting this research.
I would also like to thank the staff of CNP office, Mr. Bishnu Prasad Thapaliya, Mr. Bed Bd. Khadka,
Mr. Chiranjivi Pokhrel (PhD), Mr. Baburam Lamichanne, Mr. Kebal Chaudhary and all the staff at the
VSFSs of the study area for their grand support during field surveys and for providing relevant
information. I would also like to thank, my friends Mr. Sanej Prasad Suwal, Mr. Nabin Bhattarai and
Mr. Niroj Timalsina for their supportive hands in field data collection and helping me through all odds.
56
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Disclaimer: This Proceedings of Vulture Symposium Report was made possible with support from the American people
delivered through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of
Baanhn Beli and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of USAID or the U.S. Government.
