MARCH 1986 Vol. 3 No. 5

Wildland Management Center

Technical Bulletin Reprint ~choo1of~at~ra1~esourcesThe University of Michigan

King Conservation and Research Program by Jack Clinton-Eitniear

The hours passed slowly in my can- close relatives the , it has cer- rarest of in . vas blind erected in the Mountain Pine tainly decreased in numbers over the As an attempt to prevent the further Ridge Forest Reserve in , Cen- past fifty years. In 1948 the renown or- reduction in the species numbers tral America. I had earlier placed nithologists George Lowery and Walter throughout Mexico and adjacent north- several dead sheep in a nearby ravine Dalquest visited Mexico and ern , I began studying in hopes of observing the feeding documented the status of birdlife in the the species in the field and in captivity behavior of the King Vulture (Sar- State of Veracruz. The following state- in 1979. During November of 1984, 1 coramphus papa). Suddenly a great ment was made regarding the King was joined in Belize, Central America rush of air created waves across the Vulture. "One to ten are in sight, soar- by Mr. James Swigert of the Jackson top and sides of my blind. Soon the ing over the jungle, at almost all times Zoological Park, Jackson, Mississippi. majestic black and white with its of the day. A tapir, killed for a The Jackson Zoo has over the years wing spread of over seven and a half specimen, drew fifty or more of these established itself as the primary pro- feet and weight of over seven and a birds to our camp". Needless to say, ducer of young King in the half pounds was in full view. Twisting the King Vulture is no longer found, ex- United States. It was our hopes that and turning as it descended, it cept upon rare occasion, within the some of the offspring produced at the displayed with great precision how State of Veracruz today. Except for Jackson Zoo could be used to initially these large birds of prey have com- some of the remote jungle areas in develop the methods required to suc- plete control over the winds and ther- southern Mexico, the King Vulture has mal currents. Having just landed, the gone from one of the commonest to Please turn to the next page vultures walked with powerful legs over to the carcasses and began feeding. Ranging from southern Mexico to northern , the King Vulture is but one member of the taxonomic Cathartidae. The name itself was derived from the greek word "KathartesUmeaning a cleanser, or purifier. Along with the other six members of this family, it plays an im- portant role in the sanitation of our en- vironment. Such a role is vividly depicted in Panama where in the capital city all garbage trucks have paintings of Black Vultures on them. Unlike the other smaller vultures the King Vulture does not adapt well to human presence. Seldom is the species observed feeding upon road killed or in cattle slaughter areas. If however, an dies in a cattle pasture some distance from habitation, it will readily attract a number of King Vultures. Although its status is not nearly as critical as its wild King Vultures approaching sheep carcass in Bellze. King Vulture continued cessfully reintroduce the species into that indicate that it can be conducted The results are, however, one of the the wild. After the techniques are successfully. Birds must have radio greatest compliments to be given a developed, additional vultures could transmitters attached so that their ex- zoo. Being consumers of wildlife for be released in other areas of Central act where abouts is known. If trouble centuries, such a debt is slowly being and where the species does arise they must be located and paid by the few dedicated zoos that are population is declining. Prior to Mr. assisted. Unlike birds that hunt their taking the final step of attempting to Swigert's visit, the first young King own food, vultures must learn a com- assist the wild populations of wildlife Vulture had arrived in Belize from plex series of behaviors that allow that they breed and display. Jackson. This bird, only 8 months old, them to find their food items. Scientific More King vultures exist in zoos is currently being used in our educa- data currently supports the theory that within the United States than occur tion program at the Belize Zoo. only the has the ability naturally in the wild in many countries Although the breeding of birds in to "smell" rotting materials. The other within the species range. With the ef- captivity (as well as Mammals and species must rely upon their excellent forts of the Jackson Zoo we will Reptiles) for release in the wild is not eyesight and certain natural cues, hopefully shift the scale in the other a new concept, it's one that is actually such as following hunters or looking for direction. only in its infancy with most species. smaller vultures that have located The remarkable success being food. achieved by the Peregine Fund with Raised in captivity the birds to be Jack Clinton-Eitniear is the Director of their introduction of Peregrine Falcons released have never had to locate food Avian Research of the Belize in the United States is a testimony that for themselves. The method used to Zoological Society. the technique can and does work. "teach" this behavior involves the Although King Vultures have never placing of the birds in an enclosure been introduced, several major studies within the range of wild birds. As food This article appeared earlier in the have been conducted with Andean items are being fed upon by wild Jackson Zoological newsletter, Wild Condors, Black and Turkey Vultures vultures, the captive birds are allowed Things. to observe the social nature of the ac- tivity. Gradually the captive birds are Endangered Species allowed more freedom, while being fed near their cage, until the day when Technical Bulletin they leave the area to forage with other :-\, Reprint wild vultures. The entire process re- quires a long period of time with con- f$-$ A forum for information tinual observation as to the progress t-\- exchange on being made by the birds. & endangered species from The Wildland Management Center School of Natural Resources The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (313) 763-1312 David F. Hales ...... Director Paul Larmer ...... Editor Publication of the Reprint is made possible by gifts from American Natural Resources Co. Detroit. Michigan Chevron U.S.A., Inc. San Francisco, Cal~fornia Chicago Zoological Society Ch~cago,Illinois National Wildlife Federation Washington, D.C. Annual Subscriptions for the Endangered Species Technical Bulletin Reprint are $12.00. (Canada: $17 US) Send check or money order (made payable to: The University of Michigan) to:

Endangered Species Technical Bulletin School of Natural Resources The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1 115 I A closer look at the King Vulture. From Wildlife Conservation International Wildlife Imperiled on the Tibetan Plateau

George Schaller, Director of Wildlife products are mostly exported to the food and yak dung for fuel. Conservation International (a division lowlands. Most domestic sheep were being of the New York Zoological Society) "Once herdsman tolerated wild slaughtered because they lacked recently returned from the Tibetan herbivores," noted Dr. Schaller. "The forage. The carcasses are sold to the plateau. In collaboration with Chinese Buddhist religion, to which Tibetans government. With the cash received, scientists, he has been making the first adhere, teaches compassion toward the herdsmen will purchase new survey of wildlife resources in these all living things. But as domestic herds animals in spring. highlands. He reports that one of the have increased, pastures have in The plight of the wildlife was great. world's great wildlife populations has many areas been overgrazed and "Several thousand antelope and declined drastically in the past two to degraded. Since wild herbivores may gazelle starved to death-no one three decades. compete with domestic yak and sheep knows exactly how many", reported Dr. Schaller, noted for past work in for the scant forage, attitudes toward Dr. Schaller. "It was heart-breaking to giant panda, mountain gorilla, tiger, wildlife are changing." see these rare and beautiful animals lion and others, points to unregulated And now wildlife is faced with migrate in search of food, their legs hunting as the chief cause for the another crisis as well. Much of the rubbed raw by the snow, without our decline. plateau is a high-altitude desert with being able to help. Antelope in herds "The Tibetan plateau is about the extreme cold but little snow in winter. of up to 250 criss-crossed the snow size of Alaska and Texas combined. On October 17, 1985, a blizzard-the wastes until they stopped from fatigue. Much of it is bleak and high, lying at most severe in 30 years-hit the cen- Some resting animals were too weak 14,000 to 16,000 feet. Yet it harbors a tral plateau, covering it with a foot of to rise when I approached them." unique assemblage of large hoofed snow. Usually wind and sun soon clear Wild asses died too, but, being animals, including wild yak, Tibetan snow away. However, this time night large, they can deal better with snow gazelle, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild temperatures dropped to an unseason- and that species was not as seriously ass, Tibetan wild sheep and white- al-30' to -40' F and the snow remain- affected as the others. lipped deer. Almost nothing is known ed. Livestock and wildllife tried to find "This die-off was a tragedy. But, on about the status of these species and forage by pawing through the snow, the positive side, it drew the attention even less about their habits. Brown but, obtaining little, many were soon of the government to the unique fauna bear, wolf, and snow leopard also oc- starving. Tibetan herdsman were on the Tibetan plateau. Given the cur there. All are becoming scarce marooned in snow-bound camps. religious tradition of Tibetans toward - and in fact vast tracts are already Dr. Schaller joined a rescue team of wildlife and the interest of China in pro- devoid of wildlife - as roads, mining Tibetans and soldiers from the Peo- tecting natural resources, there is camps, and herdsman penetrate ever ple's Liberation Army to check on the some hope for the future. North deeper into even the most remote well-being of herdsmen in their isolated American lost its great plains herds, wilderness areas," explained Dr. tents. In a tractor-pulled wagon they but Tibet's can survive if conservation Schaller . went cross-country for some 300 miles. measures are taken now," empha- Wildlife is shot for meat and hides; Adapted to a severe climate, the sized Dr. Schaller. antelope horns and deer antlers are herdsmen and their families were sur- Dr. Schaller will return to Tibet this said to have medicinal value. Such viving well: they had ample mutton for spring.

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Address Resources . . . Audubon Park currently houses 4 tion with the N.Y. State Department of terested persons. For more informa- (3.1) of the 6 jabiru (Jabiru Environmental Conservation. Adult tion, write: UC MEXUS, University of mycteria) known to be held in captivi- terns will be banded with a combina- California, Riverside, CA 92521. ty in the United States. Denver and tion of three color bands and a San Antonio each hold a single male. U.S.F.W.S. band in order to identify in- There are 4 young birds at Vogelpark dividuals to determine intercolony NEW PUBLICATIONS Walsrode in Germany and a single bird movements, nesting chronology, and Animal : What Everyone in Singapore. Our only female has a site tenacity in Long Island's least tern Should Know, (edited by R. J. Hoage), strong pair bond with her mate and population. Chicks will be banded with is available for $9.95 through Smith- some reproductive activity has been a single striped color band and a sonian Institution Press. The book's seen. Although jabirus have not been U.S.F.W.S. band to identify them to essays, written by distinguished scien- bred in captivity, we would like to their natal colony and to determine col- tists, discuss the problems mankind locate additional females in an attempt ony productivity, post-fledgling disper- faces in determining which species will to establish a captive breeding popula- sal and age of first breeding. Anyone survive and examines imaginative tion. The apparent decline of the jabiru observing color banded least terns is ways to combat species in Central America necessitates work asked to contact the Seatuck and the destruction of habitats on local with the species. Anyone who knows Research Program, Box 31, Islip, N.Y. and global levels. of other birds in the US, or anywhere 11751 (516) 581-6908 and the else in the world is urged to contact: U.S.F.W.S. Bird Banding Laboratory. "Freshwater Mussels of the Upper Peter Shannon Mississippi RiverJ', is a pamphlet in- Curator of Birds The University of California has long tended as an identification aid for com- Audubon Park Zoo been concerned with Mexico, and has mon, rare and endangered species of P.O. Box 4327 contributed to the advancement of mussels. It is available by contacting New Orleans, LA 70178 knowledge about Mexico, United the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Of- U.S.A. States-Mexican relations and a wide fice of Endangered Species, Federal We would also like to have information variety of issues important to both Bldg., Fort Snelling, Twin Cities, MN from zoos which have ke~tiabirus in countries. In 1981, the University 55111. the past concerning hu;bandry, established the University of ~alifornia behavior, original source of the birds, Consortium on Mexico and the United The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service management problems, etc. States. The UC MEXUS Consortium has issued a revised notice identifying coordinates and supports University of vertebrate animal taxa, native to the California activities related to Mexico US., being considered for possible ad- LEAST TERNS ARE TO BE COLOR and the United States in the physical, dition to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Copies of Federal BANDED ON LONG ISLAND, NY as biological, agricultural and marine Register 50(181), Sept. 18, 1985, can part of a population study being con- sciences. It also produces a journal, a be obtained from: Director (OES), 500 ducted by the Seatuck Research Pro- periodic research inventory, and a Broyhill Bldg., U.S. Fish and Wildlife gram of the Cornell University newsletter for curriculum among UC Service, Washington, D.C. 20240. Laboratory of Ornithology in coopera- and Mexican researchers and other in-

March 1986 Vol. 3 No. 5 NON.PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

ANN ARBOR, MICH. PERMIT NO. 144 School of Natural Resources Technical Bullet in Reprint ,,, university of Michigan Ann Arbor. MI 48109-1115