Sustainability of Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (Vsfs) for The Conservation of Vulture in Dang District, Nepal

Abstract

Vultures are the natural scavenger of the order falconiformes. They play a vital ecological role through the rapid consumption of animal carcasses. Nepal supports six resident vulture species and two migratory among nine species found in south Asia out of 23 species found in the world. The study entitled “Sustainability of Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFS) for the conservation of vulture in Dang district, Nepal” was carried out to understand the possibilities of sustainable management of Vulture safe feeding sites for the conservation of vultures, breeding success of White-Rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), the perception of people towards vulture conservation and jatayu restaurant, livestock condition, advantage and disadvantage of the vulture restaurant and potential threats to the vulture. The nesting habitat assessment of White-Rumped Vulture suggested that (Saaj tree) Terminalia tomentosa was preferred tree species for building nest. Since all 19 nests were found to be built in Terminalia tomentosa. The nesting height was found to be highly dependent on the height of the tree. The breeding success based on active nest was found to be 74%. Primary data was collected through group discussion, questionnaire survey, Key informant survey, direct observation etc. Samples were selected by using simple random sampling method. People were found to be positive towards Vulture safe feeing sites and they were willing to help VSFS for the sustainable management of Jatayu restaurant. Questionnaire survey was also conducted with veterinary professional to know the current practice on NSAIDs and their use in the veterinary pharmacies. During the survey diclofenac was not found in any vet shop. Competition with other scavengers, carcass insufficiency, high electric tension lines , theft of meat by local people, low level of awareness among the local people about vulture conservation, habitat loss are the major threats in vulture conservation and the sustainable management of Vulture safe feeding sites. Keywords: White-rumped Vulture, breeding success, Vulture safe feeding site.