Yes, there are several species of vultures that can be found in Pakistan. Vultures play an important ecological role as scavengers that help clean up carcasses and prevent the spread of diseases. However, vulture populations in Pakistan have declined dramatically since the 1990s.
Vulture Species in Pakistan
The main vulture species found in Pakistan include:
Cinereous Vulture
The cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) is the largest vulture species found in Pakistan. It has a wingspan of 2.6-3m and can weigh up to 14kg. This vulture prefers to feed on the soft tissue of larger mammal carcasses. Cinereous vulture populations have declined by more than 80% in Pakistan.
Griffon Vulture
The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) has a wingspan of 2.5-2.8m and weighs 4-10kg. This vulture feeds mainly on the soft tissue and bones of medium-sized mammals. Griffon vulture populations in Pakistan have declined by an estimated 60%.
Himalayan Griffon
The Himalayan griffon (Gyps himalayensis) is similar to the griffon vulture but slightly larger with a wingspan of 2.5-2.85m. It feeds on carcasses of larger mammals. Populations of Himalayan griffons have declined by more than 90% in Pakistan.
Egyptian Vulture
The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a small vulture with a wingspan of 1.5-1.75m and weight of 2-3kg. It feeds mostly on smaller carcasses and scraps scavenged from human settlements. Egyptian vulture numbers have declined approximately 60% in Pakistan.
Red-headed Vulture
The red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) has a wingspan of 1.5-1.7m and weighs 2.5-5kg. It feeds on small to medium sized carcasses of wild and domestic animals. Red-headed vulture populations have declined nearly 85% in Pakistan.
Causes of Vulture Declines in Pakistan
The massive declines in vulture numbers since the 1990s in Pakistan have been linked to several key threats:
Diclofenac poisoning
This anti-inflammatory drug, often used to treat livestock, is extremely toxic to vultures. Vultures feeding on carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac suffer kidney failure and die. Diclofenac caused millions of vulture deaths across the Indian subcontinent. Its use was banned in Pakistan in 2006.
Habitat destruction
Loss of natural habitats, development, and disturbance of nesting areas has contributed to reducing vulture populations in Pakistan. Vultures require undisturbed cliffs and trees for nesting and roosting.
Declines in food availability
Vultures rely on dead livestock and wild animals for food. Reduced availability of carcasses due to declines in wild prey populations and changes in livestock management has impacted vulture numbers.
Poisoning
Vultures have been directly poisoned by people wishing to kill predators that may attack livestock, erroneously blaming vultures for reduced livestock numbers. Carcasses are laced with poison, killing scavenging vultures.
Collision and electrocution
Collision with power lines and electrocution on electricity pylons poses a threat to vultures in Pakistan, especially around nesting colonies located near infrastructure.
Conservation Efforts
Some initiatives aimed at conserving Pakistan’s remaining vultures include:
Banning toxic drugs
Banning veterinary use of diclofenac and other toxic NSAIDs that are harmful to vultures has helped slow their decline. Safe alternative drugs are now available. Strict enforcement of bans is needed.
Captive breeding programs
Captive breeding centers have been established to rear young vultures in a protected environment for later release into the wild to boost populations. However, survival of released vultures has been low. Improving survival rates is a priority.
Vulture restaurants
Supplementary feeding stations or “vulture restaurants” have been set up in some areas to provide a safe food source of dead livestock free of poisons and drugs. These have helped support local vulture populations. More feeding sites are needed.
Nest platforms and protection
Artificial nest platforms have been erected and monitoring of nest sites increased to protect breeding vultures. Nest guarding programs also aim to reduce harmful disturbances. Safe nesting zones need to be expanded.
Education and outreach
Educational programs aim to inform local communities and livestock owners about the importance of vultures to the environment and dangers of poisoning them. Changing attitudes to promote vulture conservation is a slow process.
Vulture Status and Distribution in Pakistan
Cinereous Vulture
Cinereous vultures were historically widespread across Pakistan’s northern mountain areas. Remaining populations are found at:
– Northern Balochistan province
– Western Himalayas region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province
– Kashmir region
They are now very rare or regionally extinct in some areas. Overall population is estimated at 100-300 pairs.
Griffon Vulture
Griffon vultures were once abundant across northern Pakistan. Remaining breeding populations occur at:
– Hingol National Park in Balochistan province
– Chitral District in KPK province
– Kashmir region
Total population estimated at 100-500 pairs. Declines of over 95% in parts of former range.
Himalayan Griffon
Breeding sites for threatened Himalayan griffons are now confined to:
– Northern mountain ranges of KPK province
– Northern Balochistan province
Current population believed to be 50-250 pairs. No longer found across huge areas of former range.
Egyptian Vulture
Formerly widespread in Pakistan, Egyptian vulture breeding today is restricted to:
– Hingol National Park
– Parts of Balochistan plateau
– Chitral District
– Kashmir region
Population declined from estimated 1,000-2,000 pairs in 1980s to 150-500 pairs today.
Red-headed Vulture
Once numerous across India and Pakistan. Dramatic declines have occurred. Remaining breeding sites limited to:
– Margalla Hills near Islamabad
– Changa Manga forest
– Cholistan Desert
Current population estimated at 5-50 pairs, with over 98% reduction in numbers since 1980s.
Vulture Distribution Map in Pakistan
This map shows the current distribution of the 5 main vulture species across Pakistan. Darker shading indicates areas with greater vulture populations. Largest groups occur in north and west, while vultures are no longer found across large parts of former range.
Importance of Conserving Vultures
It is critical to protect Pakistan’s remaining vultures and restore their populations because:
Vultures provide ecological services
As scavengers, vultures play a vital role in removing carcasses and waste. This prevents spread of diseases like anthrax and rabies that could affect wildlife, livestock and humans.
Vultures are bio-indicators
Vultures are vulnerable to toxins and environmental changes. Declining vulture numbers signal broader ecological threats that could impact other wildlife and people. Protecting vultures means addressing these wider issues.
Vultures link to culture & tourism
Vultures feature prominently in Hindu/Buddhist mythology and local cultures in Pakistan. They attract bird watchers and wildlife tourists generating economic benefits for local communities.
Pakistan’s responsibility
Pakistan has a key role and responsibility in saving Asia’s vultures as a range country. Loss of vultures here would mean global extinction for some species.
Outlook for Pakistan’s Vultures
Targeted conservation efforts have slowed declines, but all Pakistan’s vulture species remain Critically Endangered. Long-term recovery requires:
– Maintaining bans on hazardous veterinary drugs like diclofenac and effective regulation of alternatives.
– Increasing the number and capacity of vulture captive breeding facilities.
– Expanding network of vulture restaurants/feeding stations.
– Habitat protection and reduction in disturbances at nesting sites.
– Awareness campaigns to highlight importance of vultures and dangers of poisoning.
– Reducing hazards posed by energy infrastructure like power lines and wind turbines.
– Deeper understanding of disease risks to vultures and improved healthcare.
– International cooperation and funding support for conservation programs.
With intensive conservation efforts, it may be possible to revive Pakistan’s vulture populations. But continued declines could mean complete loss of these vital species. Concerted action and commitment of resources is urgently required to give Pakistan’s vultures a brighter future.