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A NEW COLONY OF WHITE- BACKED VULTURE WAS FOUND IN ARGAKHACHI DISTRICT OF NEPAL.
A NEW COLONY OF WHITE- BACKED VULTURE WAS FOUND IN ARGAKHACHI DISTRICT OF NEPAL.
21 May 2010

A new colony of White-backed Vulture, a Critically Endangered species was found in Pokhedanda Pine forest of Argha VDC -9, Arghakhanchi district on 21st May, 2010. The colony lies at an average elevation of 1207m and all nests are on the trunks of Pinus roxburghii tree. Altogether 13 nests of this species were recorded among which, 7 nests were occupied with chick. Additionally, around 7 Egyptian Vulture (Endangered) nests were located in the area. The colony was found by a team of Anand Chaudhary (Vulture Conservation Officer), Khadananda Paudel (Field Biologist) and Krishna Bhusal (M. Sc. Student). Mr. Bhusal has won Jatayu Scholarship to study Himalayan Griffon colony in Ghera Bheer of Argakhachi, close to the newly discovered colony. There are 33 nests in Ghera Bheer, which includes 2 Bearded Vulture nests. Additionally, 2 Red Headed Vultures (Critically Endangered) were also discovered during the study, further stressing the importance of this area for vulture conservation.