Conservation actions to secure the recovery of Gyps species vultures
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Post-Project
VALUE £181,386
WHERE Nepal, India
Summary
The purpose of the post-project is to improve national and regional capacity to monitor the use and impacts of NSAIDs and conserve and recover vulture populations through in situ and ex-situ activities across South Asia The objectives of the original Darwin project were to establish the current extent of the declines, identify the main causal agent of decline, produce a plan for the management of declines, support partners in implementing the plan, protect Gyps populations from declines, disseminate knowledge and develop a funding strategy. The original project was successful in achieving these objectives including determining that diclofenac was the main causal agent, finding a safe alternative, obtaining a ban on veterinary diclofenac in the region, and establishing vulture conservation breeding centres. However, whilst this represents considerable progress, it remains essential that the ban is effectively implemented and monitored, as diclofenac continues to be used and the remaining small vulture populations continue to decline.The post-project follows on from the first project through providing the techniques to enable India and Nepal to monitor the effectiveness of the diclofenac ban, to implement in-situ vulture conservation measures to ensure that populations persist in the wild, and to increase staff capacity and expertise at the vulture conservation breeding centres.
POLICY, GENERAL MEASURES, EX SITU, SPECIES CONSERVATION
Specific Tools
IMPACT ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, CEPA, RESEARCH TRAINING
Countries
Nepal, India
Project Outputs
1. Indian researchers trained in methods for sampling and analysis of NSAID prevalence in livestock carcasses and for monitoring NSAID sales and use by user groups
2. In-situ conservation activities established and effective around extant vulture colonies in Nepal and India
3. Effective mechanisms for the co-ordination of in-situ conservation activities within the region established
4. Capacity to undertake vulture conservation breeding programmes in the region enhanced