Scientists of the Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) -- a leading non government organization active in conserving endangered bird species -- have released six white-rumped vulture chicks (Gyps Bengalensis) after fitting Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitters on them from Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts.[break]
“The objective of fitting GPS transmitters on vultures is to constantly track their trail,” explained Dr Hum Gurung, Chief Executive Officer of the BCN. According to Dr Gurung, the tracking of vultures´ trail -- supported by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and Royal Society for the protection of birds of the UK -- can be instrumental in finding out how far and widely they travel so that ornithologists can determine the size and effectiveness of Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ).
In Nepal, the BCN has created a VSZ belt consisting mainly of 10 Tarai districts west of Chitwan, after gathering and burning a huge amount of Diclofenac veterinary drug -- which bird scientists say can be fatal for vultures -- over a period of three years. “By tracking GPS transmitters-tagged vultures´ trail, we will study if we have to expand the VSZ belt,” Dr Gurung said.
Previously, the BCN had fitted GPS transmitters on five vultures in 2007. Of them, one vulture was tracked up to Gujrat of India. One did not go beyond Nawalparasi district. The rest three vultures reached Assam of India via Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR).
“Back then, we could track vultures only for two years as GPS transmitters´ batteries did not last long,” Dr Gurung said, adding, “We will be able to track vultures for a longer period this time as we have used batteries that use solar power.”
The number of vultures -- which protect people from various communicable diseases by cleaning environment by devouring carcasses of dead animals -- has been rapidly declining in the Indian subcontinent including Nepal. There were some 500,000 vultures in Nepal 15 years ago. The number of vultures has declined by 90 per cent. Of the total of eight species of vultures found in Nepal, four have been listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered birds.
It was only in 2003 that scientists discovered that Diclofenac drug was the reason of fast decline of vultures. Farmers use this drug to cure sick animals. If animals die during treatment, farmers throw them to be eaten by vultures. Vultures do not survive if they eat carcasses infested with this drug. Nepal has already banned the use of Diclofenac drug.
In February, Nepal had launched a regional initiative, Saving Asia´s Vultures´ from Extinction (SAVE), to protect the endangered bird of prey.
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