Vulture distribution and people perception of vultures in Pokhara Valley, Nepal

Abstract

Due to an abundance and diversity of vultures, Nepal is one of the most important countries for vulture conservation. Within Nepal, the Pokhara Valley is especially significant. We examine the distribution of vultures within the Pokhara Valley by conducting counts at 11 potential feeding or roosting sites using point count method. We further surveyed people of the valley regarding their perception of vulture ecology and conservation, knowledge of diclofenac use within the valley, and burial of livestock carcasses. We detected eight species of vultures, four of which are currently threatened with extinction. White‐rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis, Egyptian vulture Nephron percnopterus, and Himalayan vulture G. himalayensis were the most abundant. Almost all respondents (98%) had sighted the vultures in the wild. Formally educated respondents reported seeing vultures’ slightly more than nonformally educated respondents. Fifty‐eight percent respondents suspected habitat loss was the major threat for the vulture population decline in Pokhara Valley, and 97% respondents were not aware of any diclofenac use. The knowledge of vultures in people with different age groups suggests a more awareness programs are needed for local people, especially those who carry out animal husbandry and provide livestock to the vulture restaurant.

Bird diversity and factors affecting bird abundance at Dullu Municipality, Dailekh, Nepal

“…Within these ecosystems, their usefulness was reported as for seed dispersal, pests control in crops, environment cleaning as a natural scavenger, and crop pollination (Maas et al 2013;Katuwal et al 2021). Not only in ecosystem services, birds become important components of tourism industries for generating income sources for the local people (Areaya et al 2013;Katuwal et al 2020); however, many bird species are at risk of extinction in response to anthropogenic activities, including climate change, habitat alteration or loss, deforestation, wildlife trade, biological invasion, infrastructure, or combinations of these and other factors (Pyšek et al 2017;Symes et al 2018;Johnson et al 2020l;Basaula et al 2021;Dhakal et al 2022).…”

Are white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) scavengers or predators at a vulture safe feeding site of Nepal?

“…Seven species of vultures, namely Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis, Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris, White-rumped Vulture G. bengalensis Cinerous Vulture Aegypius monachus, and Eurasian Griffon G. fulvus are recorded from the feeding site (Dhakal et al 2022). We recorded five species (sans Cinerous Vulture and Eurasian Griffon) during the field visit.…”

“…No in-depth research on the potential positive or negative impacts of safe feeding sites on the behaviors of wild vultures has been conducted in Nepal. Nonetheless, the safe feeding sites have attracted more vultures and the number of roosting and nesting vultures has increased near such safe feeding sites (DeCandido et al 2012;Fluhr et al 2017;Dhakal et al 2022). Generally, wild vultures detect food by four mechanisms.…”

Harmonizing ecology and society: an integrated analysis of vulture conservation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

“…Hence, the absence of vultures in humanized environments may exacerbate the proliferation of mammalian scavengers and the associated health risks. This study elucidates local community attitudes and actions, pivotal for both positive and negative impacts on vulture survival (Dhakal et al 2022). Human activities significantly affect vulture conservation efforts, making empirical data on social and ecological aspects vital for effective interventions (Heberlein 2012;Reimer et al 2013;Henriques et al 2018).…”