Payments for biodiversity conservation in the context of weak institutions:Comparison of three programs from Cambodia?

An evaluation of the effectiveness of a direct payment for biodiversity conservation: The Bird Nest Protection Program in the Northern Plains of Cambodia

The perfect threat: Pesticides and vultures.

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Vulture conservation: the case for urgent action

Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent. By Rishad Naoroji with illustrations by N. John Schmitt. 2006. Om Books International, New Delhi, India. 704 pp. ISBN 8187107699. Hardback, $100.00.—Finally there is a book on Asian raptors! This was a much neglected field of activity in the world of raptors. The Indian subcontinent’s (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh) spectacular and diverse array of habitats and biodiversity includes nearly 20% of the world’s diurnal raptors species. Although exhaustive books have been written about the region’s tigers, temples, tombs, and tandoori, very little has been published about the raptors that occur there. Since 2000, the spotlight in the Indian subcontinent has primarily been on vultures, as a result of their catastrophic population collapse due to consumption of livestock carcasses contaminated with the veterinary drug diclofenac. Although this issue has elicited much popular and scientific interest, there has never been a complete or satisfactory description or catalog of information about the region’s raptors published in one single source. Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent thus fills a critical, previously empty space. With an approach that oozes with professionalism, passion, and a thirst for knowledge, Naoroji has examined each species, comparing them visually and providing a systematic account of each of the raptor species, what makes them special, and where one can find them. He takes a fresh look at raptor identification, reassessing relationships in light of new information. Perhaps most importantly, he combines this review and analysis with extensive field observations to give an accurate, incisive portrait of the birds in nature. Rishad Naoroji has observed and photographed raptors for nearly 20 yr in the role of an enthralled raptorphile. The product of decades of research and a lifetime’s passion, Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent provides a comprehensive review of our knowledge of these fascinating and inspiring birds. The book begins with an easy-to-follow introduction, followed by a fascinating account about raptors in Indian history and mythology. I found particularly interesting the fact that almost all raptor species have been mentioned in Sanskrit literature dating back to ca. 1000 BC. The book also contains sections on biogeographic distribution, locating and observing raptors, and conservation and management, with particular emphasis on the catastrophic collapse of Gyps vulture populations in the Indian subcontinent over the last decade. It is therefore fitting (and brave, I might add) that the cover photograph of the book shows a glorious Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), one of the three species of critically endangered Gyps vultures. Going beyond just the typical bird book, Naoroji is methodical in identifying challenges for raptor conservation in the Indian subcontinent by highlighting areas for action as well as research priorities for conservation and education. Being of Zoroastrian (Parsi) descent, Naoroji provides an ‘‘insider’s view’’ of the cultural rites of this community in a section entitled ‘‘Towers of Silence,’’: a tradition of disposal of the dead that dates back almost 2000 yr but is now on the verge of collapse primarily because of a lack of vultures. In the section ‘‘Raptors to Watch’’ he explicitly identifies and provides a rationale for vigilant monitoring of species such as the Lesser Fish-Eagle (Icthyophaga humilis), Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata), Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator) and Great Nicobar Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis klossi), all raptors that may require immediate conservation intervention. Each of the 69 species of migrant and resident raptors is discussed with precise detail. The species accounts include information on size and measurements, nomenclature and etymology, names in local languages, description, field characters, confusion species, status, distribution and habitat, behavior, food and feeding, voice, and breeding ecology. There is also a detailed range map for each species and a series of spectacular color photographs (Naoroji is also a brilliant photographer and has used many of his own photographs) depicting a range of plumages, races, and age groups. Although some photographs in the book are blurry, they are essential for identification purposes. The superb color plates by John Schmitt are a

Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent

Summary Asian vultures have undergone dramatic declines of 90–99% in the Indian Subcontinent, as a consequence of poisoning by veterinary use of the drug diclofenac, and are at a high risk of extinction. Cambodia supports one of the only populations of three species (White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris and Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus) outside of South Asia where diclofenac use is not widespread. Conservation of the Cambodian sub-populations is therefore a global priority. This study analyses the results of a long-term research programme into Cambodian vultures that was initiated in 2004. Population sizes of each species are estimated at 50–200+ individuals, ranging across an area of approximately 300 km by 250 km, including adjacent areas in Laos and Vietnam. The principal causes of vulture mortality were poisoning (73%), probably as an accidental consequence of local hunting and fishing practices, and hunting or capture for traditional medicine (15%). This represents a significant loss from such a small population of long-lived, slow breeding, species such as vultures. Cambodian vultures are severely food limited and are primarily dependent on domestic ungulate carcasses, as wild ungulate populations have been severely depleted over the past 20 years. Local people across the vulture range still follow traditional animal husbandry practices, including releasing livestock into the open deciduous dipterocarp forest areas when they are not needed for work, providing the food source. Reducing threats through limiting the use of poisons (which are also harmful for human health) and supplementary food provisioning in the short to medium-term through ‘vulture restaurants’ is critical if Cambodian vultures are to be conserved.

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Pech Bunnat

Papers

Vultures in Cambodia: population, threats and conservation

Bird Nest Protection Program in the Northern Plains of Cambodia

Cambodian vulture conservation project