Look out for India's Silent Killer, the latest programme in the documentary series, Nature Shock. Tonight's programme tells the story of how a dramatic decline in vulture populations in Asia has caused an 'ecological disaster'.
The RSPB and our partners in Bombay Natural History Society feature in the documentary, as we are taking urgent action to prevent the extinction of three vulture species.
Nature Shock: India's Silent Killer is being shown on Tuesday 7 September at 8pm on Channel 5
I was wondering if the Changa manga in Pakistan is open to visitors? I have never been to Changa Manga but I have always wanted to visit ad this winter I hope I fulfill that little aim.
I have always wanted to go to Changa Manga because ofthe other birds and wildlife found there.
I managed to visit a site in 2008 where over 1200 pairs of OWBV's bred. I visited with a PHD student who was involved in the project in this area. The site is located in Toy-wala which is between Multan and Khanewal but in Khanewal district. We saw 0 vultures of any sort. I have a photo of one of the nests. There were so many nests but all vacant.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarfrazh/2552840065/
We did see 5 Him Griffon vultures in the north in summer 2009. is it true the numbers of Him Griffon are decreasing too?
Ah should have read a bit more closely .... but surely these projects both relate to each other and feed into each other ... sharing of good practice?
Nice to see some good work across the sub-continent and throughout Africa by many organisations - hopefully we can see the steady recovery of vultures in the sub-continent and hope that these drugs stay out of Africa and that simalr chemicals don't crop up under different names.
Perhpas worth a mention though that the guy did give me (and his audience) the impression that his project alone was responsible for the diclofenac drug getting banned ... probably not strictly true ...
Oh yeah the RSPB doesn't have the monopoly on conservation work and a lot of good work is done by many many organisation but credit where credit is due please.
And anyway I was overall just trying to make a point the there are other projects out there striving to achieve simialr goals i.e. I was trying to paint a rosier picture to the reader that there is hope and that there is more hope - fingers crossed that all projects are successful :)
"In July 2010, for the first time all three of the Critically Endangered Gyps vultures successfully bred and fledged young in the captive breeding centres in India."
Another reason for supporting the endless work of the RSPB...
I saw these birds and this guy recently at the Cheshire County Show and was a little disappointed that the efforts of the RSPB within this partnership campaign was not recognised and it seem as though the quote posted here makes no reference ... ? Are they completely separate efforts?
Also I couldn't find his volunteers/staff selling the wristbands! I wanted to make a donation and have a chat. :(
Another quote from below....
"The project, run by WWF-Pakistan, is a partnership between WWF-Pakistan, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi and the Hawk Conservancy Trust. WWF-Pakistan is the project manager and staff provider, whilst the Hawk Conservancy Trust has provided technical and training support and will contribute towards facility running costs into the future. The Environment Agency and WWF-US provided keystone funding for the facility construction."
Nowt to do with the RSPB as far as I know!
Probably due to the fact that the work the RSPB is doing is in India!!! and not Pakistan and Africa. I wasnt aware that the RSPB have a monopoly on conservation work!
"In July 2010, for the first time all three of the Critically Endangered Gyps vultures successfully bred and fledged young in the captive breeding centres in India."
Another reason for supporting the endless work of the RSPB...
I saw these birds and this guy recently at the Cheshire County Show and was a little disappointed that the efforts of the RSPB within this partnership campaign was not recognised and it seem as though the quote posted here makes no reference ... ? Are they completely separate efforts?
Also I couldn't find his volunteers/staff selling the wristbands! I wanted to make a donation and have a chat. :(
Graham's birds at Knowsley, were the inspiration that start me bird watching last year. After watching them and visiting Knutsford I thought I would like to study the raptors in my area, although it did turn out that persecution has limited them greatly in the Dark Peak I have had some success with help from a couple of great local birders and started training for my C ringing licence and hope to spend many years working with them.
So my thanks to Graham for that, it introduced me to something that has turned into a passion for birds, nature and the outdoors.
On a recent visit to Knowsley Safari park, I noticed a falconry display by Gauntlet. My 4 year old son Keiron loved it, so much so, that we visited them at their home near to Knutsford.
Here, it became very apparent that the owner, Graham Bessant is extremely passionate about his birds and their conservation.
Gauntlet (GAUNTLET BIRDS OF PREY, EAGLE & VULTURE PARK) to give it's full title, is involved in the conservation of Vulture's in both Africa and Pakistan.
Here is a quote from their website:
"Since 2007 Gauntlet has been working with The Hawk Conservancy supporting the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project at Changa Manga in Pakistan. Each year we provide direct funding for the project, including all the kind donations made by visitors. The centre offically opened in April 2007 as one of a number of conservation initiatives in response to the unprecedented decline in Gyps Vultures in South Asia since the 1990's.
After years of investigation the cause of this crisis was found to be the use of the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac, which is used in cattle. Vultures feeding on dead cattle treated with the drug, suffer fatal side effects such as gout and kidney failure. The effects have been so profound that in some areas populations have crashed by upto 95%.
Despite the drug having been banned in three of the range countries (India, Pakistan and Nepal), it is unlikely to be removed quickly from the environment. Diclofenac has been used widely in Pakistan and India, with recent unpublished reports confirming that it is still available - at least in remote areas where regulatory enforcement is low. Even if Diclofenac is removed from circulation within the next five years, estimated mortality rates are currently up to 50% each year, suggesting that extinction, at least across most the range for these species, is considered likely.
In 2004 WWF-Pakistan launched the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project in Pakistan. The immediate project objective is to conserve a viable population of Oriental White-Backed Vultures Gyps Bengalensis in a safe and secure environment. Once secured, the breeding potential of the captive population must be realised.
Additional project objectives include continued monitoring of wild populations, lobbying for the complete removal of Diclofenac from the environment and to build staff capacity for the eventual release of captive-bred vultures. Plans for Pakistan's first conservation breeding facility for vultures began in 2005. Government approval, land allocation, facility design, fundraising and staff selection took place over the following 18 months.
The project, run by WWF-Pakistan, is a partnership between WWF-Pakistan, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi and the Hawk Conservancy Trust. WWF-Pakistan is the project manager and staff provider, whilst the Hawk Conservancy Trust has provided technical and training support and will contribute towards facility running costs into the future. The Environment Agency and WWF-US provided keystone funding for the facility construction."
By visiting, you will be doing your bit towards Vulture conservation,especially by buying a wristband for £1 which goes directly to the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project.
The highlight of our visits so far is the flying displays with several species of Vulture, Bald Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and the spectacle of 10 Black Kites in the air at once is brilliant!
Information can be found by visiting the website below.
www.gauntlet.info/
GAUNTLET BIRDS OF PREY, EAGLE AND VULTURE PARK, Next to Fryer's Rose Nursery and Garden Centre, Manchester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire. WA16 0SX.
-- Edited by Mark Rigby on Monday 9th of August 2010 10:18:07 PM
