Local Communities Promote Vultures

For International Vulture Awareness Day, I highlight some exciting community initiatives on two endangered vulture species I posted on last spring: the California Condor and the White-Rumped Vulture.

In Northern California, the Yurok Tribe and various collaborators received a $200,000 grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to research the feasibility of reintroducing condors in the area. They are currently testing large mammal carcasses (e.g., sea lions, whales) for lead and other toxins that kill condors. This could be the first step towards wider efforts to bring these amazing birds back to the Pacific Northwest.

Read more:

“Fixing the World,” North Coast Journal

“Effort to Fix Broken World Hinges on Condor, Native Times

In the village of Pithouli in southern Nepal’s Nawalparasi District, the local community runs Jatayu Restaurant, a vulture feeding station.  Retired cows, which would otherwise end up on the meat market, live out their few remaining days or months in a reserve, die naturally, and become carrion for various Gyps species.  This effort is part of a district-wide project to educate people on and provide alternatives to diclofenac, the veterinary drug which has decimated Asian vulture populations.  Similar “restaurants” are starting up in other regions of  Nepal.

Read more:

Bird Life Nepal Vulture Project

Vulture Rescue

Explore Himalaya (on tourism opportunities at Jatayu Restaurant)

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To learn more about various vulture species, the dangers they face, and efforts to restore their populations, check out various blog postings for International Vulture Awareness Day.