It was just a coincidence of this week that I saw photos of Indian Vultures from Bucurest zoo (the only ones in Europe!) and heart a presentation about extinction crisis of Vultures in India.
L. Peske who is participating in the rescue project of three big vulture species from Indian subcontinent (Indian Vulture, Indian White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture) told us about decline of their population by 99% during the short period (last 30 years approximately). It was said the reason was treating the cows with cheap Diclofenac. It doesnt persist in cows permanently, but if the cow dye shortly after treating with Diclofenac, it can be poisonous for Vultures (damaging the kidneys of birds). Today there are not sufficient numbers of vultures in India so in some areas people learn to bury the cows in the ground.
After this I checked zootierliste and found out only Bucurest zoo keeps Indian Vulture and only two British falconries keep Indian White-rumped Vulture in Europe. Another critically endangered species from Indian subcontinent is Red-headed Vulture which is kept only in three institutions. In India there are four breeding stations for these species.
I am curious about the situation in America, Asia or Australia. Are there any populations in captivity? Are some zoological gardens around the world participating in rescue programmes in nature? Is there any interest to start new breeding programmes in captivity?
L. Peske who is participating in the rescue project of three big vulture species from Indian subcontinent (Indian Vulture, Indian White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture) told us about decline of their population by 99% during the short period (last 30 years approximately). It was said the reason was treating the cows with cheap Diclofenac. It doesnt persist in cows permanently, but if the cow dye shortly after treating with Diclofenac, it can be poisonous for Vultures (damaging the kidneys of birds). Today there are not sufficient numbers of vultures in India so in some areas people learn to bury the cows in the ground.
After this I checked zootierliste and found out only Bucurest zoo keeps Indian Vulture and only two British falconries keep Indian White-rumped Vulture in Europe. Another critically endangered species from Indian subcontinent is Red-headed Vulture which is kept only in three institutions. In India there are four breeding stations for these species.
I am curious about the situation in America, Asia or Australia. Are there any populations in captivity? Are some zoological gardens around the world participating in rescue programmes in nature? Is there any interest to start new breeding programmes in captivity?
). They have an aviary with the name "Indian Vulture" but currently in reconstruction. I was searching the birds over the zoo and after I saw them behind the aviaries for waterfowls in the window showed on the photos. I am not sure whether these were Gyps indicus or not but I think so. My first impression was Gyps ruepelli but after I saw they were different. I wanted to talk about the birds with the keepers but nobody did not speak english. We were waiting for the veterinary of the zoo but unfortunately we would be late on the train so I missed him. If somebody has further info, please write it here. I´m really interested what´s the actual state. Moreover, the Zoo in Bucuresti has a terrible webpage. I will try to contact them once more to ask for more.