A Restaurant for Vultures?

Bob's "glamor" shot

It's not easy being an ugly, bald scavenger. Vultures have an image problem that is difficult to overcome. Unfortunately, this negative image is working against them at a time when several species of Asian vultures are at great risk of going extinct. In the past fifteen years or so, the population of the Gyps vultures (white-back, slender-billed and long-billed) has dropped at a frightening rate in India, Nepal and Pakistan. An estimated 99.8% of the population has vanished during this time; that means that for every 500 Gyps vultures alive 15 years ago, there is now only one.

Kevin rules the roost at Maya Devi

The problem has been traced back to the anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac, which is used as a painkiller for both livestock and people. Because it can get a sick animal up and working quickly, farmers regard Diclofenac as a miracle drug. Unfortunately, this "miracle drug" is lethal to Gyps vultures. When an animal dies shortly after treatment with Diclofenac, the vultures that feed on the carcass will also die. Since vultures feed in large groups, one carcass containing Diclofenac will result in the death of scores of vultures. The dwindling number of vultures in Asia means that carcasses are being left to rot, increasing the risk of spread of disease.

Bob in his element over Pokhara, Nepal

Fortunately, there are some reasons for hope. Meloxicam is a drug that can be used instead of Diclofenac and does not harm vultures (or other birds that it has been tested on). The problem, however, is that Meloxicam is slightly more expensive and is more difficult to administer than Diclofenac. Moreover, Meloxicam doesn't work as quickly or as well as the drug it is replacing. This makes it difficult to convince poor farmers with little education that the long-term benefits of preserving vultures are worthwhile. It’s especially difficult convincing the farmers about the problem because they don’t see any vultures; they often say, "Save the vultures? What vultures?"

Thermal Surfing

Diclofenac has been banned for veterinary use in countries including Nepal, India and Pakistan, and there has been an effort to buy up and remove the remaining stock of the drug. However, it is still legal for human use and thus is available in pharmacies. Since prescriptions are not needed to buy drugs in many countries in Asia, a farmer can still easily acquire Diclofenac to use on his animals.

Kiran helps out with the vultures before school

One of the methods of encouraging farmers not to use Diclofenac has been through the creation of "vulture restaurants." Under this scheme, sick livestock are purchased from farmers, which are then treated humanely (Meloxicam is administered, if needed) and the animals are allowed to live out their days in a field. When they die, they are taken to the vulture restaurant where they provide a safe meal for the vultures.

Kevin and Anita - Is she really going out with him?

Although I know something about birds of prey and spend quite a bit of my time photographing them, I was unaware that vultures were critically endangered in Asia. I learned about the situation from Scott Mason, who, in addition to being the inventor of parahawking (the hybrid sport combining paragliding and falconry), also runs Himalayan Raptor Rescue, a conservation scheme initiated by the charity Himalayan Nature. In order to raise awareness of the critical situation faced by vultures, Scott provides lectures to tour groups, and gives them a chance to spend time getting to know his two vultures, Bob and Kevin. Few people get a chance to experience vultures in such an up-close and personal way. Participants consistently comment on how charming, amusing, and almost dog-like the vultures are; they often and leave with a new appreciation for these much maligned animals.

Another tourist falls for Kevin's charms

Donations to Himalayan Raptor Rescue go directly to the rescue and rehabilitation of birds of prey, as well as toward starting a vulture restaurant in Pokhara, Nepal. If you are interested in learning more, making a donation, or perhaps, becoming a vulture restaraunteur, you can find more information on www.parahawking.com.

Hey, this vulture restaurant has a take out window!