Congregations of wintering Egyptian VulturesNeophron percnopterusin Afar, Ethiopia: present status and implications for conservation

Abstract

The Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus congregates in communal roosts in the wintering areas and where food availability is high, where even a single threat might lead to substantial population declines. Thus, more research on the congregation sites is needed for timely detection of threats and effectively directed conservation measures. We studied bird numbers, use of roosting substrates and roosting habitat of wintering Egyptian Vultures in Ethiopia. Vultures were counted using the road-count technique in 2009, 2010 and 2013 along c. 600 km of roads in the Afar region. Over 1 000 individuals were counted each year and the sites with the highest congregations were identified. Nearly half of the birds were adults and the majority roosted on bird-safe types of electric pylons. Most of the Egyptian Vultures were found below 500 m above sea level, in bare areas, open savannas or grasslands, and their abundance was negatively related to the amount of cover of bush vegetation. The distribution of roosting birds was not affected by distance to human settlements. To avoid disasterous effects on the population of the Egyptian Vultures, we strongly recommend that the sites sheltering the highest numbers of roosting birds should be included in the Important Bird Area network, the use of poisons should be banned, and dangerous power lines should be insulated or substituted with safer types.

High juvenile mortality during migration in a declining population of a long‐distance migratory raptor

“…In addition, campaigns to engage local communities in areas in which large congregations occur would be useful (Arkumarev et al . ). Our evidence for human‐induced mortality, which exclusively occurred in sub‐Saharan Africa, is a concern for declining populations.…”

“…Given the broad wintering distribution of Egyptian Vultures breeding in eastern Europe, and the large number of direct potential threats to both juvenile and adult birds (Ogada et al 2012, Angelov et al 2013, Velevski et al 2015, continental-scale policies and implementations will be required to increase significantly the survival probabilities of these migratory birds on their wintering grounds. In addition, campaigns to engage local communities in areas in which large congregations occur would be useful (Arkumarev et al 2014). Our evidence for human-induced mortality, which exclusively occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, is a concern for declining populations.…”

First confirmed case of lead poisoning in the endangered Egyptian Vulture (<i>Neophron percnopterus</i>) in the Balkans

“…Specifically in the Balkans the situation is worse, as the species has suffered a steep decrease of 80% in the last 30 years, at an estimated rate of 6% per year in the last decade (Velevski et al 2015). This is thought to be due to a combination of several known threats such as poisoning (Skartsi et al 2014), electrocution (Angelov et al 2011) and direct persecution in their wintering grounds (Arkumarev et al 2014). Lead poisoning is an additional threat that may be overlooked.…”

A Globally-Important Stronghold in Oman for a Resident Population of the Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

“…at restaurants or dump sites), this does not mean the human-vulture relationship is positive in all respects. Decisions about electrical infrastructure, waste management and vulture conservation should be scientifically well-informed and taken with caution (García-Heras et al 2013, Arkumarev et al 2014.…”