This story was originally published in the 2023 CEPF Impact Report.

In Cambodia, one sign of hope for nature arrived on the wings of vultures. In June 2023, a census of three Critically Endangered vulture species delivered exciting news: the highest count of these vultures since 2016.

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Caption: 

Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus).

Credit: 

© Conservation International / photo by Jack Tordoff

Vultures were once abundant in Cambodia and other Asian countries, where they performed the essential job of cleaning up animal carcasses across the landscape. In the 1980s and ‘90s, populations of the now Critically Endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and white-rumped vulture (G. bengalensis) suffered drastic declines due to a reduction in a primary food source—wild ungulates—and poisoning by Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat domestic livestock. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the red-headed vulture has experienced a global population decline of greater than 80–99%, while the other two species have declined by more than 99%.

The situation is dire, but dedicated vulture enthusiasts are making a clear difference. Among them are members of the Cambodia Vulture Working Group (CVWG), which includes two governmental entities—the Ministry of Environment and the Forestry Administration—as well as five conservation organizations: Ankor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, NatureLife Cambodia, Rising Phoenix Co. Ltd., Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wide Fund for Nature.

Using the Cambodia Vulture Action Plan as a guide, CEPF grantees Rising Phoenix and NatureLife Cambodia and other CVWG members implemented essential conservation measures. The establishment of five supplementary feeding stations, also known as “vulture restaurants,” increased the food supply and reduced exposure to tainted carcasses. Conservationists also implemented protections and monitoring for nests and habitat, and worked with stakeholders to monitor for the use of Diclofenac.

Following these steps, the June 2023 census found 133 individuals, comprised of 16 red-headed vultures, 40 slender-billed vultures and 76 white-rumped vultures.  “These Critically Endangered birds are on the  brink of extinction, but for the first time in recent years, we have hope that our efforts will make the difference,” said Bou Vorsak, chief executive officer  of NatureLife Cambodia.