Vulture breeding centre likely in Himachal

ddutta · Dec 11th, 2004, 14:57

India News, Shimla, Worried about the rapidly declining vulture population in India, the authorities may soon set up a centre to breed the scavengers in captivity in Himachal Pradesh.

"A meeting to set up the centre in Himachal to work out the modalities was held in Haryana," said Vibhu Prakash, principal scientist, ornithology, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

Alarm bells started ringing after studies showed that the number of vultures had dramatically declined in the last decade. The vulture is considered the most efficient scavenger on earth.

For Details: http://www.keralanext.com/news/index.asp?id=75588&pg=1

Alan D · Dec 13th, 2004, 18:28

Our observations on vultures this year in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh tie up with the general situation as stated by the Bombay Natural History Society That is, that apart from the Himalayan Griffon Vulture, most other species of Indian vultures are highly endangered. This was the only species of vulture we saw this year, surprisingly, in good numbers and in many places.

After many years of research into the causes of the drastic decline in vulture populations there seems to be general agreement (after the virus and pesticide theories have been discounted) that the cause seems to be a vetinary product called Diclofenac, a non-steroid anti inflammatory drug given to livestock. As vultures are scavengers at the top of the food chain, it's thought that this becomes concentrated in the vultures and causes organ failure.

A captive breeding progamme will not work unless a non-harmful substitute is also found for Diclofenac.

In 1996 one could see Indian White Backed Vultures perched on the tops of high buildings around Janpath in Delhi - a few years later they were all gone. White Backed Vultures were also common at Bharatpur in 1996 but are now considered a rariety.

A few years later there were still many Long Billed Vultures nesting on the temples of Orchha and on the fort at Jodhpur. I bet they have all gone now.

Has anyone been to any of these places recently and seen any vultures?

mira4bai4 · Dec 14th, 2004, 09:24

So do they want volunteers for the feeding programme?

SitaParityaga · Dec 14th, 2004, 10:00

Another article on what happens when the vultures are gone:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1681642.stm

Alan D...I'll be in Jodphur next month and will look around the fort for them.

Dec 11th, 2004, 14:57	#1
ddutta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: kolkata Posts: 803	Vulture breeding centre likely in Himachal India News, Shimla, Worried about the rapidly declining vulture population in India, the authorities may soon set up a centre to breed the scavengers in captivity in Himachal Pradesh. "A meeting to set up the centre in Himachal to work out the modalities was held in Haryana," said Vibhu Prakash, principal scientist, ornithology, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Alarm bells started ringing after studies showed that the number of vultures had dramatically declined in the last decade. The vulture is considered the most efficient scavenger on earth. For Details: http://www.keralanext.com/news/index.asp?id=75588&pg=1

Dec 14th, 2004, 10:00	#4
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,145	Not good news.... Another article on what happens when the vultures are gone: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1681642.stm Alan D...I'll be in Jodphur next month and will look around the fort for them. Attached Images

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Dec 13th, 2004, 18:28	#2
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	Our observations on vultures this year in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh tie up with the general situation as stated by the Bombay Natural History Society That is, that apart from the Himalayan Griffon Vulture, most other species of Indian vultures are highly endangered. This was the only species of vulture we saw this year, surprisingly, in good numbers and in many places. After many years of research into the causes of the drastic decline in vulture populations there seems to be general agreement (after the virus and pesticide theories have been discounted) that the cause seems to be a vetinary product called Diclofenac, a non-steroid anti inflammatory drug given to livestock. As vultures are scavengers at the top of the food chain, it's thought that this becomes concentrated in the vultures and causes organ failure. A captive breeding progamme will not work unless a non-harmful substitute is also found for Diclofenac. In 1996 one could see Indian White Backed Vultures perched on the tops of high buildings around Janpath in Delhi - a few years later they were all gone. White Backed Vultures were also common at Bharatpur in 1996 but are now considered a rariety. A few years later there were still many Long Billed Vultures nesting on the temples of Orchha and on the fort at Jodhpur. I bet they have all gone now. Has anyone been to any of these places recently and seen any vultures?

Dec 14th, 2004, 09:24	#3
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,245	So do they want volunteers for the feeding programme?