Status of Griffon Vulture in Bangladesh

Abstract

The griffon vulture is a big size bird of prey and also referred to as important scavenger. Griffon Vultures also play a key role in the wider landscape providing ecosystem services. Previously, it was a commonly sighted and well-known bird in our country. But at present, it is not seen usually in locality dump sites with the exception of the zoo and some remote parts of the country. Griffon vulture is a strong-bird that feeds on carrion. They have broad wings, riding on which they soar high while looking down for carrion. They have no feathers on head or neck, for which they look bit ugly, but are very gentle and simply harmless. Bangladesh ornithology counted about seven species of vultures. They are Egyptian vulture, White-rumped vulture, Griffon vulture, Himalayan vulture, Slender-billed vulture, Cinereous vulture and Red-headed vulture. Egyptian vulture, Griffon vulture, Himalayan vulture, Cinereous vulture are vagrant to Bangladesh. Only two species such as, White-rumped vulture and Slender-billed vulture -- are resident to Bangladesh while Red-headed vulture is extinct in the wild.If someone would ask about the status of griffon vulture in Bangladesh, the confident answerer would be it is 99 % declined and one percent surviving and the number is 800 (M.H. Khan). Poaching, habitat loss, lack of food or any environmental change are not all the real causes for vanishing of vultures. The most important cause of their disappearance is the veterinary use of pharmaceutical diclofenac, a widely used painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug administered to livestock and humans. The government needs to develop an up to date action plan to conserve the species. We need also to support our conservation partners, showing farmers that there are alternative drugs to diclofenac that are just as effective in treating cattle

The griffon vulture is a big size bird of prey and also referred to as important scavenger. Griffon Vultures also play a key role in the wider landscape providing ecosystem services. Previously, it was a commonly sighted and well-known bird in our country. But at present, it is not seen usually in locality dump sites with the exception of the zoo and some remote parts of the country. Griffon vulture is a strong-bird that feeds on carrion. They have broad wings, riding on which they soar high while looking down for carrion. They have no feathers on head or neck, for which they look bit ugly, but are very gentle and simply harmless. Bangladesh ornithology counted about seven species of vultures. They are Egyptian vulture, White-rumped vulture, Griffon vulture, Himalayan vulture, Slender-billed vulture, Cinereous vulture and Red-headed vulture. Egyptian vulture, Griffon vulture, Himalayan vulture, Cinereous vulture are vagrant to Bangladesh. Only two species such as, White-rumped vulture and Slender-billed vulture -- are resident to Bangladesh while Red-headed vulture is extinct in the wild.If someone would ask about the status of griffon vulture in Bangladesh, the confident answerer would be it is 99 % declined and one percent surviving and the number is 800 (M.H. Khan). Poaching, habitat loss, lack of food or any environmental change are not all the real causes for vanishing of vultures. The most important cause of their disappearance is the veterinary use of pharmaceutical diclofenac, a widely used painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug administered to livestock and humans. The government needs to develop an up to date action plan to conserve the species. We need also to support our conservation partners, showing farmers that there are alternative drugs to diclofenac that are just as effective in treating cattle