Estimation of Population Density of Bearded Vultures Using Line-Transect Distance Sampling and Identification of Perceived Threats In the Annapurna Himalaya Range of Nepal

Subedi, Tulsi Ram; Virani, Munir Z.; Gurung, Sandesh; Buij, Ralph; Baral, Hem Sagar; Buechley, Evan R.; Anadón, José D.; Sah, Shahrul Anuar Mohd

doi:10.3356/jrr-18-25.1

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…a). The Annapurna range supports a population density of Bearded Vulture up to 0.18 birds/km 2 with high spatial variation (altitude range = 1445–4600 m asl) of the breeding area (Subedi et al , ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial and temporal movement of the Bearded Vulture using GPS telemetry in the Himalayas of Nepal

Subedi

Pérez‐García

Sah

et al. 2019

Ibis

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This study addresses for the first time the movement patterns of the globally near‐threatened Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in its most important stronghold, the high‐altitude mountain ranges of Asia. Tracked individuals (n = 8) in the Annapurna Himalayan range (Nepal) foraged over a vast range of 60 715.9 km2 and our results indicated age‐class differences in the use of space. Territorial adults showed very small annual home‐ranges (K90 = 150.3 km2), whereas immatures wandered extensively and covered vast ranges of the mountains (K90 = 23 930.8 km2). For adults and immatures, these values are notably larger than the other two studied populations in the world (Pyrenees and South Africa). This suggests that the studied Annapurna population might exhibit lower breeding density than in the Pyrenees or South Africa, possibly due to lower food availability.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial and temporal movement of the Bearded Vulture using GPS telemetry in the Himalayas of Nepal

Subedi

Pérez‐García

Sah

et al. 2019

Ibis

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“…It is known that livestock keepers in the mountainous ranges of Nepal are willing to poison carnivores to minimise attacks on their livestock (Mehta andHeinen 2001, Theile 2003). Very high percentages of local people are aware or perceive that poison is used in the retaliatory killing of mammalian carnivores in the Annapurna Himalaya ranges of Nepal (Subedi et al 2018). This is likely to have a high impact on raptors, as many raptor species including vultures, eagles, hawks, or kites, are known to scavenge.…”

Section: Unintentional Poisoningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ranging data indicated these raptors are highly associated with human-dominated landscapes, and this is likely to increase the risk of human persecution, such as the killing of a few individuals as a revenge for predating domestic fowl (e.g. Mountain Hawk Eaglea NT species), or the use of body parts in belief-based practices, especially Bearded Vulture (Acharya et al 2010, Subedi et al 2018. Although this is not a worrying situation at present, people believe the presence of vultures on their property signals a bad omen and other raptors predate poultry/livestock, thus they deliberately damage the nest sites, and damaging nests of CR species might cause irreparable loss.…”

Section: Human Persecutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human-induced mortality an overlooked threat for raptors in Nepal

Subedi,

Pérez-García,

Gurung

et al. 2023

Bird Conservation International

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Summary Raptors play a unique role in ecosystem services and are regarded as effective indicators of ecosystem health. In recent years, varieties of anthropogenic factors have threatened the majority of raptor species worldwide. Nepal is considered a global hotspot for threatened and declining raptor species, but there is limited information on the direct human threats to the raptor populations living in the country. In this paper, we identify important anthropogenic threats to raptors in Nepal based on raptor mortality data collected by powerline surveys and from monitoring of GPS-tagged raptors, complete various reports, and social media. We found that powerlines, poisoning, and persecution, mainly shooting, are significant threats to raptors in Nepal that were largely overlooked previously. We report 54 electrocuted raptors affecting eight species, 310 poisoned raptors of 11 species, and five persecuted raptors of four species; among them vultures are the most affected (>88%). Based on our findings, to safeguard the future of Nepal’s raptors, we propose the retrofitting of power poles and the use of flight diverters on powerlines in the most affected areas to reduce raptor interactions with powerlines, as well as an effective conservation education programme to prevent the use of unintentional poisoning.

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“…Rapid population assessment was also done in 2018, following a road transect survey that is a common method of measuring vulture density and estimating vulture populations (Prakash et al, 2007Acharya et al, 2009Acharya et al, , 2010Virani et al, 2011;Subedi et al, 2018). For the present study three transects were selected to give sufficient representation to agricultural landscapes, forest areas outside PAs and Protected Areas (Fig.…”

Section: Population Distribution In Pasmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Distribution, Nesting Habits and Status of Threatened Vulture Species in Protected Areas of Central India

Jha¹,

Jha²,

Campbell³

2021

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Protected Area (PA) establishment is one of the commoner strategies for wildlife conservation, but the effectiveness of these developments is rarely evaluated in terms of species' performance. This article assesses the effectiveness of PAs of Central India, using an assessment of threatened vulture species. These species may be considered as keystone species in this region. Relevant parameters considered for assessment comprised: (i) the presence and population density of vultures in PAs compared with those in unprotected forests and agricultural landscapes; (ii) counts of the breeding population, nesting preferences and environmental factors for such variables; and (iii) the impacts of policies designed to combat the effects of the deadly diclofenac drug on vulture populations. Quantitative (total counts of vultures and nests, transect surveys) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, secondary data surveys) methodologies were used in data collection, to provide an adequate information base. White-rumped, Longbilled, Egyptian and Red-headed vultures (resident) and Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Griffon and Himalayan Griffon (migratory) were recorded in PAs. The probability of vulture occupancy was significantly higher in PAs (44-51%), than in unprotected forest (17.6-17.8%) and agricultural areas (0.03%). The average vulture density in PAs (0.529 ±0.228 km -2 ) was also much higher than in unprotected forest (0.014±0.012 km -2 ) and agricultural areas. The presence of active, inactive and abandoned nests in PAs revealed favorable habitat conditions for breeding, potential breeding and floater vulture categories. Disturbance factors were insignificant. The statutory ban on diclofenac use had a significant impact on vulture populations within the PAs, but this factor was insignificant in surrounding areas. These findings indicate a positive role of PAs in conservation, with insignificant impacts of the diclofenac ban across different types of landcover. It is concluded that increased promotion of environmental education is important to ensure effective vulture conservation and the success of PAs.

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Estimation of Population Density of Bearded Vultures Using Line-Transect Distance Sampling and Identification of Perceived Threats In the Annapurna Himalaya Range of Nepal

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 10 publications

References 31 publications

Spatial and temporal movement of the Bearded Vulture using GPS telemetry in the Himalayas of Nepal

Spatial and temporal movement of the Bearded Vulture using GPS telemetry in the Himalayas of Nepal

Human-induced mortality an overlooked threat for raptors in Nepal

The Distribution, Nesting Habits and Status of Threatened Vulture Species in Protected Areas of Central India

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