BEARDED VULTURE POPULATION and HABITAT VIABILITY ASSESSMENT (Gypaetus Barbatus Meridionalis)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

BEARDED VULTURE POPULATION and HABITAT VIABILITY ASSESSMENT (Gypaetus Barbatus Meridionalis) BEARDED VULTURE POPULATION AND HABITAT VIABILITY ASSESSMENT (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) Sterkfontein Dam, Harrismith, Free State Province, South Africa 6 - 10 March 2006 BEARDED VULTURE (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) POPULATION AND HABITAT VIABILITY ASSESSMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 6 - 10 March 2006 WORKSHOP REPORT Convened by: CONSERVATION BREEDING SPECIALIST GROUP SOUTHERN AFRICA ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST EZEMVELO KWAZULU-NATAL WILDLIFE Sponsored by: Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project In collaboration with THE CONSERVATION BREEDING SPECIALIST GROUP (CBSG) OF THE IUCN SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION Population and Habitat Viability Assessment: Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) 1 © Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG-SSC / IUCN) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The copyright of the report serves to protect the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group workshop process from any unauthorised use. Krüger, S., Piper, S., Rushworth, I., Botha, A., Daly, B., Allan, D., Jenkins, A., Burden, D. and Friedmann, Y. (editors). 2006. Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) Population and Habitat Viability Assessment Workshop Report. Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC / IUCN) / CBSG Southern Africa. Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg. The CBSG, SSC and IUCN encourage workshops and other fora for the consideration and analysis of issues related to conservation, and believe that reports of these meetings are most useful when broadly disseminated. The opinions and recommendations expressed in this report reflect the issues discussed and ideas expressed by the participants in the Bearded Vulture PHVA Workshop and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the CBSG, SSC, or IUCN. The photograph on the front cover of this report was supplied by: André Botha. Population and Habitat Viability Assessment: Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) 2 The CBSG Conservation Council These generous contributors make the work of CBSG possible Providers $50,000 and above Chicago Zoological Society -Chairman Sponsor Marwell Zoological Park Riverbanks Zoological Park SeaWorld, Inc. Milwaukee County Zoo Rosamond Gifford Zoo North Carolina Zoological Park Swedish Association of Zoos Benefactors $20,000 and above Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Wellington Zoo Minnesota Zoological Garden Paignton Zoo Welsh Mountain Zoo -Office Sponsor Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park Wildlife World Zoo, Inc. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Parco Natura Viva - Italy Zoo La Palmyre Toronto Zoo Perth Zoo Zoo Madrid Philadelphia Zoo Zoologischer Garten Rostock Conservators $15,000 and above Phoenix Zoo Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Columbus Zoo and Aquarium -The Curators $250 and above Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium WILDS Prudence P. Perry Alice Springs Desert Park Disney’s Animal Kingdom Randers Regnskov Tropical Zoo Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum Saint Louis Zoo Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Bramble Park Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society - NYZS Robert Lacy Edward & Marie Plotka World Association of Zoos and Rotterdam Zoo Emporia Zoo Aquariums (WAZA) Royal Zoological Society - Antwerp Lee Richardson Zoo Zoological Society of London Royal Zoological Society - Scotland Montgomery Zoo Royal Zoological Society - South Racine Zoological Society Guardians $7,000 and above Australia Sacramento Zoo Australian Regional Association of Saitama Children’s Zoo Svenska Djurparksföreningen Zoological Parks and Aquariums San Antonio Zoo Tokyo Zoological Park Society (ARAZPA) San Francisco Zoo Topeka Zoo, Friends of Cleveland Zoological Society Sedgwick County Zoological Society Wildlife Safari - Oregon Nan Schaffer Taipei Zoo San Diego Zoo The Living Desert Sponsors $100 and above White Oak Conservation Center Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens African Safari - France Tiergarten Schönbrunn – Zoo Vienna Alex Rübel Protectors $1,000 and above Toledo Zoological Society Aquarium of the Bay Twycross Zoo African Safari Wildlife Park Bighorn Institute Union of German Zoo Directors Albuquerque Biological Park Brandywine Zoo Utah’s Hogle Zoo Al Ain Zoo Central Zoo Authority - India Wassenaar Wildlife Breeding Centre Alice D. Andrews Chahinkapa Zoo Wilhelma Zoo Allwetterzoo Münster Ed Asper Woodland Park Zoo Anne Baker Elias Sadalla Filho Zoo Frankfurt Apenheul Zoo Folsom Children's Zoo Zoologischer Garten Köln Association of Zoos and Aquariums International Center for Birds of Prey Zoologischer Garten Zurich (AZA) Lion Country Safari, Inc. Audubon Zoological Gardens Miami Metrozoo Stewards $500 and above Bristol Zoo Nigel Hewston British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aalborg Zoo Poznan Zoo Aquariums (BIAZA) Akron Zoological Park Rolling Hills Zoo Calgary Zoological Society Banham Zoo and Sanctuary Steinhart Aquarium Chester Zoo BioSolutions Division of SAIC Steven J. Olson Cincinnati Zoo Cotswold Wildlife Park Tautphaus Park Zoo Colchester Zoo Dutch Federation of Zoos Copenhagen Zoo Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Supporters $50 and above Detroit Zoological Park Fort Worth Zoo Alameda Park Zoo Dickerson Park Zoo FOTA Wildlife Park Darmstadt Zoo Dublin Zoo Givskud Zoo Miller Park Zoo Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Granby Zoo Oglebay's Good Children's Zoo El Paso Zoo Heidelberg Zoo Peter Riger Everland Zoo Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Plzen Zoo Fort Wayne Zoological Society Kerzner International North America Safari Parc de Peaugres - France Gladys Porter Zoo Knoxville Zoo Stiftung Natur-und Artenschutz in den Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum Knuthenborg Safari Park Tropen Japanese Association of Zoological Lincoln Park Zoo Touro Parc - France Gardens and Aquariums (JAZA) Lisbon Zoo Wuppertal Zoo Laurie Bingaman Lackey Little Rock Zoo Leisure and Cultural Services Naturzoo Rheine Department of Hong Kong Odense Zoo Loro Parque Oregon Zoo Thank You! Los Angeles Zoo Ouwehands Dierenpark June 2006 Table of Contents SECTION 1.......................................................................................................................5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CBSG WORKSHOP PROCESS .................................... 5 SECTION 2..................................................................................................................... 12 PRESENTATIONS ......................................................................................................... 12 The 2005 Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) ground survey: South Africa.....13 Preliminary report on a survey of breeding sites of Bearded Vultures in Lesotho ....................15 Traditional use of vultures: some perspectives........................................................................18 The current status of bearded vulture in Ethiopia ....................................................................19 SECTION 3..................................................................................................................... 20 WORKING GROUP REPORTS ..................................................................................... 20 List of Acronyms .......................................................................................................... 21 Surveying and Monitoring Working Group ................................................................ 23 Resource Availability and Habitat Loss Working Group .......................................... 33 Political, Legal, Education, Awareness, Social and Economic Working Group..... 45 Unnatural Mortality Working Group............................................................................ 55 Population Modelling and Dynamics Working Group............................................... 65 Bibliography and References ...................................................................................... 83 Group Prioritisation of Solutions ................................................................................ 85 SECTION 4..................................................................................................................... 86 FINAL PLENARY: THE WAY FORWARD .................................................................... 86 SECTION 5..................................................................................................................... 89 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................ 89 Appendix 1: Bearded Vulture Workshop Participants List ............................................................90 Appendix 2: Workshop Programme .............................................................................................96 Appendix 3: Participants Goals and Hopes..................................................................................97 Appendix 4: The Endangered Wildlife Trust and CBSG Southern Africa ...................................101 Population and Habitat Viability Assessment: Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) 4 BEARDED VULTURE POPULATION AND HABITAT VIABILITY ASSESSMENT 6 - 10 March 2006 Sterkfontein Dam, Harrismith, Free State Province, South Africa WORKSHOP REPORT © Alastair Nelson SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CBSG WORKSHOP PROCESS Population and Habitat Viability Assessment: Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND With an estimated global range of 106 to 107 km2 and a population of 104 to 105 individuals, it is thought that the population of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) is declining worldwide but not at a sufficiently fast rate to rank its status as anything
Recommended publications
  • Griffon Vultures &Lpar;<I>Gyps Fulvus</I>&Rpar; Ingesting Bones At
    SEPTEMBER1997 LETTERS 287 AravaipaCreek, Arizona. Almost immediatelyat leastsix Elf Owls beganvocalizing from dispersedlocations around our campsiteand at leastfour of them began making low passesat the Great Horned Owl. Before we could relocate the horned owl to a protectedenclosure, it wasstruck once in the head by an Elf Owl. Some nocturnal behaviorsmay not be well known or understood,not becausethey are rare, but becausethey are difficult to observe.This may changewith the increasedavailability of night vision equipment (P. Henson and J A Cooper 1994, Auk 111:1013-1018). Currently, observationsof nocturnal behaviorsare likely to be sporadicand anecdotal,and therefore unreported. Such information, however,may help in understandinga speciesbiology. For example, other researchershave observedgroup mobbing by Elf Owls (F.R. Gehlbach,pers. comm.; B.A. Millsap, pers. comm.), but there are no publishedreports of the behavior.Our observations,and thoseof other researchers, suggestthat Elf Owlswill join together in mobbing and that they can be physicallyaggressive when defending their nestsagainst predators. We thank A. Duerr, T.S. Estabrookand R.L. Spauldingfor assistingwith the observations.We alsothank T. Brush, ER. Gehlbach, R. Glinski, P. Hardy, B.A. Millsap, G. Proudfoot and H.A. Snyder for sharing their observational information concerning mobbing by small owls.This manuscriptbenefitted from the constructivereviews of ER. Gehlbach,C. Marti, B.A. Millsapand an anonymousreviewer.--Clint W. Boal, Brent D. Biblesand R. William Mannan, Schoolof RenewableNatural Resources,University of Arizona, Tucson,AZ 85721 U.S•. j. RaptorRes. 31 (3):287-288 ¸ 1997 The Raptor ResearchFoundation, Inc. GRIFFONVULTURES (GYPS FULVUS) INGESTING BONES AT THE OSSUARIESOF BEARDEDVULTURES ( GYPAETUSBAR•ATUS) Some African vulturesovercome the calcium deficiencyin their diets by ingestingbone fragments,and are depen- dent on the presenceof largepredators to supplythem (Mundy and Ledger 1976, S.
    [Show full text]
  • Lappet-Faced Vultures Studies at Mahazat As Syed Protected
    Status of Vultures in the Middle East with detailed studies of Lappet-faced and Griffon Vultures in Saudi Arabia Mohammed Shobrak Biology Department, Taif University, Saudi Wildlife Authority, Saudi Arabia Content of the Presentation •Vultures in the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula • Status & Trend & • Griffon Vultures • Lappet-faced Vultures Studies in KSA •Threats •Conclusion and Recommendations Vultures Recoded in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula ØBearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus (Rare Breeding) ØEgyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (Breeding) ØGriffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (Breeding) ØLappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus (Breeding) ØCinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus (the majority are Migratory) ØRüppell’s Vulture Gpys rueppellii (Meinertzhagen 1945) The majority of the Middle Eastern populations are migratory (winter visitor and passing migrants), with small breeding populations in Iran and Turkey. Cinereous Vulture is a winter visitor to the Arabian Peninsula, concentrated at northern, central and eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. IUCN Red List Species Status at the Population Status Scientific Name Status International (Trend) Global / Reginal Agreement Aegypius monachus CITES II, CMS II, EU WV (Linnaeus, 1758) NT/NT WTR (A), Raptor MoU 1 Decreasing Middle Eastern populations extend from SW Iran into much of Turkey, with more isolated populations in Yemen and SW Saudi Arabia The bearded vulture was a rare resident and now probably no longer breeds in Saudi Arabia, and probably in Yemen (50 breeding pairs were
    [Show full text]
  • NE Spain): Management Implications A
    Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 30.2 (2007) 189 Factors influencing the breeding density of Bearded Vultures, Egyptian Vultures and Eurasian Griffon Vultures in Catalonia (NE Spain): management implications A. Margalida, D. García & A. Cortés–Avizanda Margalida, A., García, D. & Cortés–Avizanda, A., 2007. Factors influencing the breeding density of Bearded Vultures, Egyptian Vultures and Eurasian Griffon Vultures in Catalonia (NE Spain): management implica- tions. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 30.2: 189–200. Abstract Factors influencing the breeding density of Bearded Vultures, Egyptian Vultures and Eurasian Griffon Vultures in Catalonia (NE Spain): management implications.— Using multivariate analyses we examined differences in breeding density of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus, the Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus and the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus in NE Spain (Catalonia) in relation to trophic, orographic–landscape and anthropic variables. Sampling units used were regional divisions (comarques). High density of Bearded Vulture was principally linked to areas with scant vegetation and low human population density. In contrast, high densities of both the Egyptian and Eurasian Griffon Vultures were associated with availability of trophic resources (sheep and goats). Positive effects were detected in relation to low density of inhabitants (Egyptian Vulture) and altitudes between 1,000–2,000 m and landscape with low tree cover (Eurasian Griffon Vulture). The Bearded Vulture seemed to be the most selective species in relation to environmental characteristics while the Eurasian Griffon and the Egyptian Vultures displayed a higher degree of ecological plasticity. Future conservation actions should bear these results in mind in order to optimise management. Food resources from extensive livestock farming, in particular, seem fundamental for the conservation of scavenger species.
    [Show full text]
  • Cop18 Doc. 97
    Original language: English and French CoP18 Doc. 97 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Eighteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Colombo (Sri Lanka), 23 May – 3 June 2019 Species specific matters WEST AFRICAN VULTURE TRADE AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT 1. This document has been submitted by Burkina Faso, Niger and Senegal.* Overview 2. West Africa is home to six migratory Old World vulture species: the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis), Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus), Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli), and Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos). These vultures are among the most threatened groups of migratory birds in the world, with four Critically Endangered species and two Endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (BLI 2017a-f; See Table 1 in Annex 1 of this document). 3. The past thirty years have seen significant vulture declines across Africa, especially in West and East Africa (Ogada et al. 2016b), with recent assessments showing population declines of 50-96% for the six West African species (BLI 2017a-f). Alarmingly, these declines are not only occurring in unprotected areas, but for five of the species (excluding the Egyptian vulture), declines have also been documented within protected areas in West Africa (Ogada et al. 2016b). 4. Anthropogenic factors are driving these precipitous population declines, including intentional and unintentional poisoning, the decline of food availability, habitat degradation including the loss of nest trees, and electrocution on and collision with energy infrastructure.
    [Show full text]
  • Raptors in the East African Tropics and Western Indian Ocean Islands: State of Ecological Knowledge and Conservation Status
    j. RaptorRes. 32(1):28-39 ¸ 1998 The Raptor ResearchFoundation, Inc. RAPTORS IN THE EAST AFRICAN TROPICS AND WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS: STATE OF ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND CONSERVATION STATUS MUNIR VIRANI 1 AND RICHARD T. WATSON ThePeregrine Fund, Inc., 566 WestFlying Hawk Lane, Boise,1D 83709 U.S.A. ABSTRACT.--Fromour reviewof articlespublished on diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey occurringin Africa and the western Indian Ocean islands,we found most of the information on their breeding biology comesfrom subtropicalsouthern Africa. The number of published papers from the eastAfrican tropics declined after 1980 while those from subtropicalsouthern Africa increased.Based on our KnoM- edge Rating Scale (KRS), only 6.3% of breeding raptorsin the eastAfrican tropicsand 13.6% of the raptorsof the Indian Ocean islandscan be consideredWell Known,while the majority,60.8% in main- land east Africa and 72.7% in the Indian Ocean islands, are rated Unknown. Human-caused habitat alteration resultingfrom overgrazingby livestockand impactsof cultivationare the main threatsfacing raptors in the east African tropics, while clearing of foreststhrough slash-and-burnmethods is most important in the Indian Ocean islands.We describeconservation recommendations, list priorityspecies for study,and list areasof ecologicalunderstanding that need to be improved. I•y WORDS: Conservation;east Africa; ecology; western Indian Ocean;islands; priorities; raptors; research. Aves rapacesen los tropicos del este de Africa yen islasal oeste del Oc•ano Indico: estado del cono- cimiento eco16gicoy de su conservacitn RESUMEN.--Denuestra recopilacitn de articulospublicados sobre aves rapaces diurnas y nocturnasque se encuentran en Africa yen las islasal oeste del Octano Indico, encontramosque la mayoriade la informaci6n sobre aves rapacesresidentes se origina en la regi6n subtropical del sur de Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Its Islands Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use
    Biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and its Islands Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 6 IUCN - The World Conservation Union IUCN Species Survival Commission Role of the SSC The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is IUCN's primary source of the 4. To provide advice, information, and expertise to the Secretariat of the scientific and technical information required for the maintenance of biologi- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna cal diversity through the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements affecting conser- of fauna and flora, whilst recommending and promoting measures for their vation of species or biological diversity. conservation, and for the management of other species of conservation con- cern. Its objective is to mobilize action to prevent the extinction of species, 5. To carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Union, including: sub-species and discrete populations of fauna and flora, thereby not only maintaining biological diversity but improving the status of endangered and • coordination of a programme of activities for the conservation of bio- vulnerable species. logical diversity within the framework of the IUCN Conservation Programme. Objectives of the SSC • promotion of the maintenance of biological diversity by monitoring 1. To participate in the further development, promotion and implementation the status of species and populations of conservation concern. of the World Conservation Strategy; to advise on the development of IUCN's Conservation Programme; to support the implementation of the • development and review of conservation action plans and priorities Programme' and to assist in the development, screening, and monitoring for species and their populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Management Plan for the BEARDED VULTURE (Gypaetus Barbatus Meridionalis) for Southern Africa
    Biodiversity Management Plan for the BEARDED VULTURE (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) for Southern Africa Photo: Sonja Krüger Date: Final version submitted 16th September 2013 Edited by: Sonja Krüger i Executive Summary The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis is an endangered species inhabiting the Maluti Drakensberg mountains of southern Africa including Lesotho and the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. The population is an isolated one whose numbers are continually declining as a result of numerous threats to the species. In recognition of the need for conservation action, South Africa has developed the requisite legal framework that caters for the protection of this important species. The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) and the Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS) Regulations provide for the compilation of Biodiversity Management Plans for Species (BMP-S). The Bearded Vulture Task Force (BVTF) of the Birds of Prey Programme (BoPP) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) therefore initiated a workshop to develop a BMP for the species to improve the conservation status of the species. The workshop was initiated as a review of the action plan developed as part of a Population Habitat and Viability Analysis (PHVA) workshop that was undertaken for the species in 2006. The BVTF invited a number of key role-players to the initial workshop to review the PHVA document and develop a draft BMP. This draft document was then taken to targeted stakeholder workshops in both South Africa and Lesotho. The BMP process included key role players and produced a document that included much of the information generated in the PHVA workshop held in 2006 and proceedings of targeted role player engagements.
    [Show full text]
  • USE of SUB-SAHARAN VULTURES in TRADITIONAL MEDICINE and CONSERVATION and POLICY ISSUES for the AFRICAN GREY PARROT (Psittacus Er
    Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 12-2010 USE OF SUB-SAHARAN VULTURES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND CONSERVATION AND POLICY ISSUES FOR THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT (Psittacus erithacus) Kristina Dunn Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Dunn, Kristina, "USE OF SUB-SAHARAN VULTURES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND CONSERVATION AND POLICY ISSUES FOR THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT (Psittacus erithacus)" (2010). All Theses. 1036. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/1036 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. USE OF SUB-SAHARAN VULTURES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND CONSERVATION AND POLICY ISSUES FOR THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT ( Psittacus erithacus ) A Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Wildlife and Fisheries Biology by Kristina Michele Dunn December 2010 Accepted by: Dr. William W. Bowerman, Committee Chair Dr. Karen C. Hall Dr. Webb M. Smathers Jr. ABSTRACT Wildlife populations worldwide are being negatively affected by the illegal wildlife trade. The severity of the impact to both Sub-Saharan vultures and African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus ) (AGP) populations are explored in this thesis. Many species of Sub-Saharan vultures are used in the traditional medicinal trade. Previous studies have found that vultures have mystical powers attributed to them due to their keen ability to find food.
    [Show full text]
  • Predators in Flight in This Program, We Explore the Majestic World of Birds of Prey, Including Eagles, Falcons, Vultures, Ospreys, Hawks, and More
    Men’s Programs Predators in Flight In this program, we explore the majestic world of birds of prey, including eagles, falcons, vultures, ospreys, hawks, and more. Birds of prey are also called raptors. Together, we learn more about these fierce, predatory birds from their habits to their habitats, as well as their role in legends, folklore, history, and superstition. Preparation & How-To’s • This is a copy of the complete activity. • Print photos of birds of prey for participants to view or display them on a TV screen. • Print a large-print copy of this discussion activity for participants to follow along and take with them for further study. • Read the article aloud and encourage participants to ask questions. • Use Discussion Starters to encourage conversation about this topic. • Read the Birds of Prey Trivia Q & A and solicit answers from participants. • Check out the Additional Activity for more information about this topic. Predators in Flight Introduction Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include many species of avian predators that rule the skies. Found on every continent on Earth except Antarctica, these powerful birds possess enhanced senses and phenomenal speed. Raptor and human history have been intertwined for centuries, with some birds of prey considered evil or magical, while others are thought of as pests. In contrast, they have also been celebrated as sacred or served as human hunting partners. What Makes a Raptor Most birds of prey are members of the order Accipitriformes, which is made up of 250 species. The birds are divided into diurnal and nocturnal raptors.
    [Show full text]
  • Council Decision (EU) 2019/1719 of 8 July 2019
    Status: Point in time view as at 08/07/2019. Changes to legislation: There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Council Decision (EU) 2019/1719. (See end of Document for details) Council Decision (EU) 2019/1719 of 8 July 2019 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP 18) (Geneva, Switzerland, 17-28 August 2019) COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2019/1719 of 8 July 2019 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP 18) (Geneva, Switzerland, 17-28 August 2019) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1) thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Whereas: (1) The Union acceded to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) by Council Decision (EU) 2015/451(1). CITES has been implemented in the Union by Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97(2). (2) Pursuant to Article XI(3) of CITES, the Conference of the Parties (CoP) may, inter alia, adopt amendments to the CITES Appendices. (3) The CoP, during its 18th meeting from 17 to 28 August 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland (CITES CoP 18), is to adopt decisions on 57 proposals to amend the CITES Appendices, as well as on numerous other matters related to the implementation and interpretation of CITES.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Distribution and Status of Raptors of Sindh
    Canadian Journal of P ure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 4719 - 4732 , Feb 2019 Online ISSN: 1920 - 3853; Print ISSN: 1715 - 9997 Available online at w ww.cjpas.net CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF RAPTOR S OF SINDH *Syed Ali Ghalib 1 , Ubaid Ullah 1 , Roohi Kanwal 1 , Afsheen Zehra 1 , Babar Hussain 4 , Ghazala Yasmeen 1 , Uzma Manzoor 1 , Saquib E jaz Hussain 3 , Syed I ftekhar Ahmed 2 , Habibul Hassan 1 and Umer Farooq 1 1 Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi 2 Zoologica l Survey of Pakistan, Islamabad 3 Environmental Management Consultants Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi 4 IUCN - Pakis tan, 1 Bath Island Road Karachi ABSTRACT Pakistan has 47 species of raptors, out of which, 38 species have so for been recorded from Sindh province. Raptors have gained wide attention due to the fact that over half of the world’s raptors have declining populations. The present paper deals with the status and distribution of raptors in principal habitats of these species in Sindh based on field data collected during 2010 to 2018. It emphasizes the need for the conservation of Falcons and Vultures in particular. As regard s the Conservation Status of raptor species in Sindh, eight species ar e threa tened viz. Indian White - backed Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis ), Long - billed or Indian Vulture ( Gyps indicus ), Redheaded or King Vulture ( Sarcogyps calvus ) are Critically Endangered, Egyptian Vulture ( Neophron percnopterus ), Pallas’s Fishing Eagle ( Haliaeetus le ucoryphus ), Steppe Eagle ( Aquila nipalensis ) are Endangered, while Imperial Eagle ( Aquila heliaca ) and Greater Spotted Eagle ( Aquila clanga ) are Vulnerable.
    [Show full text]
  • Significant Population of Egyptian Vulture Neophron Percnopterus Found in Morocco
    Ostrich 2016, 87(1): 73–76 Copyright © NISC (Pty) Ltd Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved OSTRICH ISSN 0030–6525 EISSN 1727-947X http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2015.1089334 Significant population of Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus found in Morocco Mohamed Amezian1,2* and Rachid El Khamlichi2 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tétouan, Morocco 2 Group for Research and Protection of Birds in Morocco (GREPOM/BirdLife Morocco), regional section of Tangier-Tétouan, Tétouan, Morocco * Corresponding author, email: [email protected] The Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus population in Morocco has undergone a marked decline since the 1980s to the point of nearing local extinction in the twenty-first century. A field study of some possible sites for Egyptian Vultures was carried out over six days during June 2014 in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. We counted a total of 48 Egyptian Vultures at three different localities: two occupied breeding sites and one communal roost that hosted 40 vultures of different ages. A (probable) singe adult bird at the breeding site was located and a previously occupied site was also visited. A preliminary survey amongst local people indicated that threats faced by this species are predator poisoning in some areas, and the use of vulture parts for traditional medicine. Given that the species is considered globally Endangered and populations continue to decline in many areas, the discovered population reported here, although relatively small, is of national and regional (North-west Africa) importance. We expect this new situation will revive the hopes for studying and conserving this and other vulture species in Morocco and North-west Africa in general.
    [Show full text]