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Nepal vultures released in to new flight aviary
Vultures fledglings successfully held captive in Nepal's vulture breeding centre for the past year were released in to a newly constructed flight aviary in November. The new flight aviary is over 30 m long and is based on the design used in India that has proven so effective in not only providing a secure environment for birds but also as a breeding aviaries. Release of the 14 birds was undertaken with the participation of the Chief Warden of Chitwan National Park, Program Manager of the BCC/NTCC, Chief-Executive officer BCN, and Colonel of the Nepal Army. The Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre staff, warden, veterinary officer from BCN and BCN vulture conservation officer were involved in the overall activity and a thorough health check. With the permission of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, two veterinary students collected feacal samples to investigate for internal parasites. The chicks captured earlier this year, will now be transferred to the two small aviaries that have been occupied by the previous years 14 chicks.
Anand Chaudhary, Vulture Officer with Bird Conservation Nepal commented that "This captive population of 43 birds will be vital for safeguarding the future of vultures in Nepal, and is working with local and national efforts to remove the last remaining stocks of veterinary diclofenac to protect wild populations". Additional conservation efforts in Nepal include innovative work to establish "Vulture Safe Zones", where diclofenac is cleared from areas surrounding remaining colonies of birds, and safe food is provided to encourage birds to remain foraging within the conservation area.
"The combination of removing diclofenac and promoting the safe alternative drug, with the precaution of a captive breeding population for future release are the two main measures needed to ensure the future of these species"said Dr Richard Cuthbert, Vulture Programme Research Manager at the RSPB.
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