RSPB Fights for Vulture Survival

Vultures, having become one of the world’s most endangered birds, are showing signs that they may start to breed in captivity, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This could mark the turning point in their future, as animal workers can hopefully encourage more breeding to curb the falling numbers of the bird. The slender-billed vulture is marked as critical on the endangered species list. The bird, found in Asia, has seen its numbers fall sharply in the past decade. Estimations from the RSPB put remaining slender-bill population at roughly 1000. It is almost unthinkable that this species has gone from thriving communities of vultures, almost to the point of non-existence. Since 1992 it is estimated that the population of both long and slender-billed vultures have fallen by 97%!
The RSPB has been working alongside other bird and animal related charities to encourage breeding and conservation in the remaining vulture communities. For the first time this year, the scheme has proved successful in the hatching and fledging of two of the vultures. It is notoriously difficult to encourage birds, vultures especially, to breed in captivity. Other successes with Oriental White-backed vultures in recent years have given charity workers an insight into the conditions and behaviour ideal to encourage mating amongst the birds. RSPB workers have stated they are hopeful that the breeding will take place over the next year and within a decade we could see a resurgence of the vulture population. Chris Bowden, leader of the Asian vulture program for the RSPB, explained that this was a huge step forward in reversing the declining numbers of vultures; ‘with extinction in the wild likely in the next 10 years, we do not have a moment to waste.’
The RSPB does so much outstanding work in the prevention of the extinction of birds, they require as much as we can give to help fund the projects that bring these species back from the brink of non-existence. Please take a moment to check out some RSPB gifts and see what wonderful charity donations they have on offer. A few pounds from you helps save a whole species future!