Welcome to the Central Asian Vultures Project
Vultures are one of the most endangered groups of birds in the world. The countries of Central Asia are home to 5 species of vulture:
- Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
- Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus)
- Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
- Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)
- Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis)
Although these species are relatively well-studied in other parts of their ranges, we know surprisingly little about their populations, movements or threats in this region. Since there have been such dramatic declines elsewhere, it’s important that we find out as much as we can.
This project was founded to bring together researchers, conservationists, organisations and enthusiasts to learn about and protect these magnificent birds.
Project Objectives
Population Status
Surveys help us estimate population sizes and breeding productivity and to understand the conservation status of the species in the region.
Identify Movement Patterns and Migration Routes
The project has been satellite tagging vultures since 2021, allowing us to describe migration routes in this region for the first time. Identifying these is critical to planning their conservation.
Threats
Elsewhere, vultures are threatened by poisoning, collisions with energy infrastructure, electrocution, and persecution. We need to know how these and other threats affect vultures in Central Asia.
Vulture Multi-species Action Plan
The Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) published the Vulture MsAP in 2017. Developing a region-specific implementation plan, and supporting each country to develop national plans to conserve vultures will help us reach the goals of this international agreement.
