Vulture Population Soars in Cambodian Sanctuary

[CAMBODIA NEWS] In a significant conservation breakthrough, 127 vultures were recently observed at the "Vulture Restaurant" in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, marking the highest count in a decade.



The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on September 3, 2024, that their conservation partner, Rising Phoenix, recorded this unprecedented number of vultures at the feeding station in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary. This figure nearly matches the total vulture population of approximately 130 birds counted across Cambodia in June 2023.

Cambodia is home to three critically endangered vulture species: the red-headed vulture, the white-rumped vulture, and the slender-billed vulture. These scavengers play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by consuming animal carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases.

However, vulture populations have declined sharply worldwide in recent decades, including in Cambodia. The main threats are food scarcity and poisoning from consuming contaminated carcasses. To combat this decline, USAID's Green Heritage project, in collaboration with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and Rising Phoenix, established the "Vulture Restaurant" initiative. This program provides safe weekly meals for vultures, encouraging them to remain within protected areas and avoid seeking potentially hazardous food sources elsewhere.

Rising Phoenix has also implemented GPS-GSM tagging to monitor vulture movements and better understand their behavior. Additionally, the organization conducts nest searches and monitoring to ensure successful breeding.

As the International Vulture Awareness Day approaches, this news brings hope for the future of these remarkable birds in Cambodia.