Population Status and Breeding Success of Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayansis Hume, 1869) and Threats: A Case Study from Khodpe, Baitadi District, Far West Nepal

Abstract

Himalayan Vultures are fairly common in the mid-hills and trans-Himalaya of Nepal. Population estimation and breeding success of Himalayan Vultures were studied in Khodpe, Baitadi, Far Western Nepal in 2010-2011. Harichan and Siddhnath cliffs were monitored extensively to estimate its population and nests were searched for its breeding success. Threats to the animal were identified with discussion with the local people of the area.

Altogether, 310 individuals of Himalayan Vultures were recorded with average flock size of 25.833 individuals. Forty individuals were recorded as the population size through Jacknife population estimation method. However there was no significantly difference (χ viii 2 = 96, df =11, p > 0.1) in Himalayan Vultures sighting in different months of visits. Similarly, Himalayan vulture aggregation in two cliffs were also not significant (χ 2 =48.9,df=42, p>0.1). The breeding success of Himalayan Vultures was excellent. Harichan cliff had 100% whilst Siddhnath cliff had 80% percent breeding success which accounts overall 90% of breeding success in the area.

Exploring awareness among local people survey was conducted with non-ending questions nearby the site of vulture species around 73% of the responds think that the population of Himalayan Vultures was decreasing from their area. About 19.7% of respondents think that loss of food, 10.5% think as veterinary drugs and 17,1% lack of proper nesting sites as the major threats to the survival population of Himalayan Vultures. Almost all (94.7%) people were unaware about the effect of diclofenac to the vultures’ population. Majority of peoples 76% think vulture should be conserved because they are natural scavenger’s (73.1%). Thus, management of carrions and protection of nesting habitat should be managed. Awareness initiatives and detail monitoring programs are needed to protect the Himalayan Vultures from Khodpe, Baitadi.

Keywords: Himalayan Vulture, Khodpe, population estimation, breeding success, diclofenac