Bird Conservation Nepal completed annual road count survey
of vultures across terailowland following east-west highway covering 638 km
from Narayanghat of Chitawan to Gaddachowki of Kanchanpur. The survey was
conducted from 2 May to 16 May 2013 ina vehicle driven at a rate of 20 Km/h.
This survey identified and recorded all vultures sighted within 1000m of either
side of the road. In addition to lowlands, the team also surveyed the mountain
routes of Attariya-Doti-Dadeldhura-Baitadi-Darchula,
Lamahi-Tulsipur-Salyan-Rukum and Bhalubang-Pyuthan-Rolpa,
Pyuthan-Arghakhanchi-Gulmi-Palpa.
The survey was supported by Department of National Parks and
Wildlife Conservation, Nepal and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB), UK. The current survey observed 68 White-rumped Vultures which is more
than the last year number. Last year it was 43. Around 205 vultures were
observed in the first survey in 2002 but the numbers declined to 55 by 2009.