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Proceedings of the Regional Symposium on Vulture Conservation in Asia 30 May 2016, Karachi, Pakistan 1 Contents Call for Papers 5 Agenda 8 Paper 1: An overview of recent advances and priorities for vulture conservation in the South Asia region 10 Abstract 10 Background and the formation of the SAVE consortium partnership 10 SAVE Blueprint and annually reviewed priorities 11 SAVE priorities for Asian vulture conservation for 2016 11 A call to action for emerging priority threats to vultures in the region – Veterinary NSAIDs... 12 Aceclofenac 12 Nimesulide 13 Ketoprofen 13 Diclofenac 13 Wider solutions 13 References 14 Paper 2: Vulture Conservation initiatives of WWF-Pakistan 15 Executive Summary 15 Introduction 16 WWF-Pakistan supported vulture studies prior to the GVRP 16 Conservation of Vultures in District Mianwali: a feasibility study 16 Under the Gyps Vulture Restoration Project, the following activities have been conducted so far: 17 Ex situ Conservation: 17 In situ Conservation (Vulture Safe Zone, Nagar Parkar) 17 Plans for 2016 - 2017 20 References: 21 Paper 3: Status and distribution of vultures in Sindh 22 Abstract 22 Introduction 22 Distribution of Vultures in Pakistan 23 Materials and Methods 24 2 Potential Sites 27 Conclusion 30 Priority Actions 31 Acknowledgements: 31 Paper 4: Establishment and management of community-based Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) in Bangladesh 33 Vulture Safe Zone Declaration Process in Bangladesh 34 Population Census 35 Pharmacy Survey 36 Institutional Mechanism 37 Conclusion 37 References 38 Paper 5: A decade of vulture conservation in Nepal 39 Abstract 39 Introduction 39 Conservation actions in Nepal 40 In-situ Conservation 40 Ex-situ Conservation 41 Achievements 42 Conclusions and Recommendations 43 References 44 Paper 6: Impact of vulture conservation efforts in western lowlands Terai of Nepal 46 Abstract 46 Introduction 47 Methods 47 Study Area 47 Data Collection Methods 47 Results 48 Current Population of Vultures in Lowlands 48 Nesting Status of Resident and Seasonal Visitors of Nepal 49 Habitat use by vulture species of Nepal in the Lowlands 49 Tree Species Used by Vultures for Roosting 49 Tree Species Use by the WRV for Nesting 50 3 Results from Household Questionnaire Survey 51 Local people’s opinion: Vulture Conservation Initiatives 51 Awareness level on harmful impact of veterinary drug Diclofenac 51 Use of Diclofenac for treating livestock 51 Status of vulture after the launch of conservation programs 52 Forest product collection and environmental changes in locality after VCPs 52 Discussion 52 Population Trend of Vultures in the Lowlands 52 Nesting Trend of Vulture in Lowland 53 Habitat Use by Vulture Species 53 Awareness Level of the Local People regarding Vulture Conservation 54 Opportunities and livelihood support provided by VCPs 54 Conclusion 54 Recommendations 55 Acknowledgement 55 References 56 4 Call for Papers Call for Papers Regional Symposium on Vulture Conservation in Asia Introduction: Vultures appeared on earth 40-50 million years ago. Fossil records found from Argentina show that the ancient vultures had wingspan of 23 feet (7 meters). Vultures remained part of ancient beliefs and folklore and were much respected in Pharaohs’ era and today vultures are also considered as integral part of some cultures in South Asia and Africa. Globally 23 species of vultures are found which are further divided into two groups new world vultures (7 Species) and old world vultures (16 species) and are generally called as falconiforms. New world vultures are found from southern Canada to the tip of Southern America. Old vultures are found in Africa, Europe and Asia. Vultures make their home in every continent except Antarctica. Old world vultures and new world vultures use the same ecological niche. Nine species of vultures are found in South Asian countries and among these eight species are found in Pakistan. Vultures in wild can live up to 38 years and in captivity they can live up to 42 years. Vultures are large, short-tailed, solitary birds and are part of the group of “birds of prey”, specialized in eating the bodies of the dead animals therefore have adaptations or skills suited to the scavenger way of life. Vultures migrate over large geographical ranges, and therefore their conservation and protection in their habitats through which they travel, feed and nest is essential. Vultures are valued for their ecological, social and cultural significance. Vultures scavenge on animal carcasses/carrion, thereby helping keep the earth, water resources and environment clean. Vultures provide prime ecosystem services as top cleaners in cities, villages, and countryside. It was noticed back in the nineties that vultures were disappearing from the landscapes, skies and rotting carrions were not being attended to by these scavengers. Out of nine species four have been listed as critically endangered on IUCN Red list. South Asia’s populations of long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) have declined by more than 90 per cent since the early 1990s. Vultures have appeared to be one of the fastest declining bird species in the world. The mystery was unfolded by a research study conducted in Dholewala and Changa Manga forest during 2000-2001 by the Ornithological Society of Pakistan, which confirmed the use of “Diclofenac sodium” (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in the livestock sector as the main cause of vulture death, and therefore a speedy decline in the vulture population. Responding to the situation, the manufacturing and use of veterinary Diclofenac has been banned in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. In Pakistan, the ban was imposed in 2006 and an alternative veterinary drug ‘Meloxicam’ was registered. In 2012, IUCN supported in constitution of Asia Regional Steering Committee which was followed by a National Vulture Recovery Committee notified by the 5 Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, to improve national level coordination for saving the endangered vulture species. IUCN Pakistan in collaboration with Baanhn Beli under the ‘Preparation of Nation Vulture Conservation Strategy Project, which is funded by USAID Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund Program, is organizing a Regional Symposium on Vultures tentatively in last of week of May 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan. The project is being implemented with the collaboration of Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, and Sindh Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh. The Regional Symposium will invite experts from the regional countries in Asia involved in vulture conservation for sharing their experiences and lessons learnt in vulture conservation, and to explore opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation in conservation of vultures and their habitats. The papers presented at the workshop will be published in the form of proceedings and uploaded on the websites of IUCN (www.iucn.org). The tentative Symposium schedule consists of an inaugural session followed by technical sessions and a closing session. 2. Aims and objectives: i. Sharing of knowledge, experiences and lessons learnt in vulture conservation at the regional level. ii. Explore opportunities for regional cooperation in conservation of vultures and their habitats. iii. Create awareness on importance of vultures and threats facing them. 3. Call for Abstracts and selection of papers and presenters: The potential keynote speakers and presenters from regional countries and nationally, are invited to submit papers on the following workshop themes: i. Conservation of vultures. ii. Ecology and breeding biology. iii. Socio-economic value iv. Education, awareness, advocacy. v. Population dynamics, migration patterns and monitoring. vi. Management, policy and legislation. The interested speakers and presenters shall submit abstracts (of about 500 words). The abstracts should contain the following information: . Name . Title of the Paper . Brief introduction to the research topic . Method of research . Main findings and discussion The abstracts must be received by IUCN focal point by 27 March, 2016. The abstracts must be submitted in English. The abstracts should be submitted through e-mail at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] by the deadline. 6 4. Evaluation of Abstracts and Submission of Full Papers The abstracts will be evaluated by a panel of experts (the Scientific Committee) which will decide on the acceptance of the abstracts. High quality abstracts will be selected by the Scientific Committee. The deadline for submission of full papers is 17 April, 2016. The authors of selected papers will be invited to present their papers at the Symposium. 5. Financial Assistance Limited numbers of full or partial sponsorships are available for participants from regional countries to cover costs of their economy air travel, stay and food during the workshop. Priority will be given to those who will be presenting papers at the Symposium, and particularly to those participants who are able to cover costs of their participation in the Symposium partially or fully. 6. Medical Insurance: The participants are requested to make their own arrangements regarding medical insurance. IUCN undertakes no responsibility in respect to life, accident, travel, medical or any insurance coverage of the participants. 7. Contact: In case of any queries, please feel free to contact us: Nadeem Mirbahar Natural Resource Management Coordinator /Symposium Coordinator
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