Conservation of White-rumped Vultures in Bangladesh

Species Conservation Fund

Jun 11

Written By

Identify and quantify new, unforeseen or previously unrecorded threats, the proximity of these threats to nesting and roosting grounds
Conduct 500 interview surveys in villages where tagged vultures spend time roosting, nesting, or feeding to understand the potential or actual scale or severity of poisoning as a threat
Hold two large events on International Vulture Awareness Day and 10 consultation meetings, with policy-makers and stakeholders from relevant government departments
Initiate trans-boundary dialogue with the Indian Forest Department and local birdwatching and conservation communities through SAVE and coordinate actions against the threat of toxic veterinary drugs (NSAIDs)
Conduct regular patrols within the core vulture breeding area to minimize disturbance to the breeding colony

Satellite tags were employed to track four vultures and provided key insights into movement patterns and roosting behaviour. Some important areas used by vultures outside existing vulture safe zones (VSZs)were identified indicating the need for potential expansion of the VSZs
500 interviews were conducted in villages overlapping with satellite-tagged vulture movement areas to assess the scale, nature, and motivations behind poison baiting practices in Bangladesh.
Two events were organised on International Vulture Awareness Day to raise awareness about vulture conservation and engage local communities, professionals and government authorities in safeguarding White-rumped Vultures.
A meeting was held with conservationists from India to discuss potential collaborations for an undercover pharmacy survey and poison bait survey in areas of India roamed by the tagged vultures and to assess existing threats to transboundary vulture populations.
Regular nest monitoring and patrolling activities were conducted in core breeding areas of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Pabna, and Sundarbans area: Nine active nests were identified.

Organisation: Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS)

Country: Bangladesh

Year project started: 2024

Species: White-rumped Vulture

Co-funder: Oriental Bird Club

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