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Follow these links to see vulture news from 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004
2007 vulture news
Haryana centre survives floods--August 2007
While the monsoon rains and floods have caused immense problems across northeast India, Nepal and Bangladesh the project's main breeding centre in the north of Haryana State was thought to be safe. However, torrential downpours in the Himalayan foot-hills caused floods to sweep past the Pinjore breeding centre.
Latest research paper--August 2007
A recent paper has conclusively shown that levels of diclofenac contamination in livestock carcasses are responsible for the observed vulture declines. The paper links nationwide carcass surveys, levels of diclofenac contamination and mortality rates of vultures to model the declines. The paper recommends continued carcass sampling and modelling to monitor the effectiveness of the diclofenac ban.
Nationwide road transects completed--July 2007
A nationwide survey of vultures has been completed across over 5000 km of bumpy and dusty Indian roads. Repeating earlier surveys from the early 1990s, 2000, 2002 and 2003 the counts in 2007 will reveal the latest population trends. Initial results indicate numbers continue to decline: grave news for vultures.
Red-headed and Egyptian vultures join threatened vultures -- May 2007
The latest work by BirdLife International reviewing the status of the world's birds has recorded more birds than ever before as threatened with extinction. The updates include an additional five species of vulture, including South Asia's red-headed vulture which are now listed as Critical and Egyptian vultures listed as Endangered. The assessment follows surveys of these two species by BNHS and a publication from the Vulture Rescue team (follow this link)
Latest additions to the breeding centres--April 2007
A total of 36 vulture nestlings were added to the vulture breeding programme in India in 2007. Catching was undertaken during February and March, with BNHS staff involved in all operations along with rock climbers from the UK and New Zealand. Follow this link for earlier photos of the catching work.
Vultures in the press-- March 2007
The vulture project has recently made the press in two prestigious publications, India Today and Smithsonian magazine. Follow these links for "Flying in to Uncertainty" in India Today and "The Vanishing" in Smithsonian.
Slender-billed vultures breeding in Cambodia-- February 2007
The discovery of South-East Asia's only known Slender-billed Vulture breeding colony has highlighted Cambodia's potential as an important refuge for Asia's vulture populations. Cambodian conservationists found five nest near the Mekong river in Cambodia's Stung Treng Province. Diclofenac is not used in South-east Asia and conservation efforts are underway to protect the remaining birds.
Operations successfully completed-- February 2007
Dr Andrew Routh, Chief Veterinary Officer from the Zoological Society of London, visited the breeding centres in February and successfully completed operations on six birds. These bird had been obtained from the kite festivals in Gujarat where the project has treated birds injured by the glass coated kite-lines. Follow this link for earlier news on this work.
Vulture chicks hatched in captivity -- January 2007
The very first captive Oriental white-backed vulture chicks have hatched at the Haryana breeding centre in India. Unfortunately both chicks failed to survive to fledge: not unusual for these long-lived birds in their first breeding attempt. Nonetheless, the successful hatching is several years ahead of schedule, giving the project real encouragement that the aviary and breeding conditions are right.
Follow these links to see vulture news from 2006, 2005 and 2004
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