A white-rumped vulture in Nepal – credit, Prasan Shrestha – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
A Critically-Endangered and critically important vulture species has been sighted in a Cambodian wildlife sanctuary for the first time in 10 years.
After a poisoning incident decimated the local population of white-rumped vultures, there were substantial efforts made to increase the supply of habitat and food, and to reduce the chance of future poisonings.
Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary surveyors spotted a white-rumped vulture this month at a “vulture restaurant” inside the sanctuary, encouraging those at NatureLife Cambodia who operate the restaurant, and conservationists working in the sanctuary.
Bou Vorsak, chief executive of NatureLife Cambodia, described the rediscovery as an important milestone for the organization’s long-term conservation work, Cambodianess reported.
“As a partner of the Ministry of Environment, we have worked for years to protect wildlife, particularly in Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary,” Vorsak said. “The return of the White-rumped Vulture shows that our conservation efforts are making a difference by improving habitat conditions and ensuring a reliable food source.”
The survey which identified the white-rumped returner also spotted 5 red-headed vultures, another species considered Critically-Endangered by the IUCN that Vorsak and his colleagues are working to protect within Lomphat Sanctuary.
Vultures play a vital yet underappreciated role in all ecosystems by quickly devouring carcasses of larger animals. This not only helps prevent disease outbreaks, but recycles nutrients into the soil far faster than bacteria and insects can.
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Feeding thusly on carrion exclusively, however, vultures are at extreme risk of poisoning if they feed on a poisoned animal: either one killed by lead bullets or shot, or poisoned by industrial agri-chemicals like DDT.
“Poisoning remains a threat despite our awareness campaigns,” Vorsak said. “The number of incidents has dropped significantly, from more than 30 cases a year in the past to around 1 to 3 cases annually.”
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To help not only protect the vultures from poisoning but also ensure a steady food supply during leaner times, NatureLifes operate a vulture feeding station that distributes a large carcass for the resident vultures once a month.
Less than 200 vultures were counted in the organization’s latest survey, showing just how precarious these birds’ existence is.
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