Population Status, Breeding Success and Conservation Issues Of Whiterumped Vulture (Gyps Bengalensis Gmelin, 1788) In Nawalparasi Forests (Iba), South-Central Nepal

Abstract

The study of population status and breeding success of critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) was conducted in Nawalparasi Forests (IBA), Nepal from October 2006 to May 2007. The study was mainly focused to the North of Nawalparasi Forests, giving emphasis to the South as well. The study was concentrated in the villages of Makar, Panchanagar, Tilakpur, Ramnagar, Sunwal, Amarauda and Banjariya VDCs, though Daunne Devi, Swathi and Sukrauli VDCs, were also thoroughly surveyed regularly.

The estimated population size of WRVs using Jacknife technique was 101 individuals. The other Vulture species include Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) and Himalayan Griffons (Gyps himalayensis). Of the 34 nests recorded (20 occupied and 14 abandoned) only 9 reared the young. Based on active nests as the primary unit the calculated breeding success was 60%. A total of 30 trees of three species i.e. Saj (Terminalia tomentosa), Sal (Shorea robusta) and Karam (Adina cordifolia) were used by WRVs for nesting. Majority of nests (94.10%) were found in Saj and few in Sal (2.95%) and Karam trees (2.95%). Six carcasses of ox and buffalo along with 10 dead WRVs were also encountered during the study period. The largest flock size of WRVs was 43 recorded in January. No any significant difference in flock size of WRVs was found between nesting and post-nesting phases (t cal = 0.74 < t = 2.1).

Of the 72 villagers questionnairred from different VDCs of the study area only 5.60% of the people were known that certain kind of veterinary drugs were responsible for the decline in Vulture population. About 62.50% of the villagers think that loss of habitat is the main reason for the decline in Vulture population but 29.20% of people are in favor of decrease in carcass availability and 8.30% went for certain veterinary drugs and pesticides. Of the 10 veterinary professionals interviewed all of them were selling Meloxicam but among them 20% were selling both Meloxicam and Diclofenac.

Key words: White-rumped Vulture, Nawalparasi Forests (IBA), Population size, Breeding success, Diclofenac, Meloxicam