There was a nice little article in the Oman Observer yesterday about Egyptian vultures.
http://omanobserver.om/egyptian-vultures-population-thrive-al-amerat-landfills/ As with many stories, space restrictions meant that important information was left out. Here is more information that should give you a more complete picture.
Although the global population of Egyptian vultures is in severe decline, Oman appears to be a stronghold for this globally endangered species. It is both a home to an apparently healthy resident population and a wintertime destination for migrating birds that breed farther north and their offspring. The population density of breeding Egyptian vultures on Masirah is the second highest recorded in the world, and the Muscat municipal rubbish dump at Al Amerat is a real hotspot, especially in winter. While adult Egyptian vultures are white and black and have a bright yellow face, the juveniles and subadults are brown or mottled in colour.
Egyptian vultures are scavengers, and in Oman many feed at municipal and village rubbish dumps. Oman is in the process of upgrading its waste disposal system, including improving landfills like those at Al Amerat, Quriyat, Tahwa (near Sur) and Barka. This may have effects on vultures and other scavengers, but the effects need not be entirely negative. The upgrading will result in fewer rubbish dumps, and they will be distributed differently than they are now. Also, separation of particularly toxic waste will improve and that should be beneficial to all.
We, International Avian Research (IAR), have teamed with the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) and The Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) to do research and promote conservation of Egyptian vultures and other scavengers in Oman and worldwide. The tracking the Oman Observer article mentions is the tracking reported on this blog, and we are working with our partners to extend that research, initiate public education activities and undertake direct conservation work.
Oman is trying to diversify its economy, and become less reliant on oil and gas for income. Tourism is a big part of that diversification, and Oman is an extremely attractive destination. Birdwatching tourism is an important sector of the overall tourism industry, and aims to tap into the many, many people who watch birds. In the US alone it is estimated that there are 46.7 million bird observers that spend $32 billion on birdwatching related activities annually (that's about 45% of Oman's GDP!) Also, birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor pursuit in the world, and attracts people of all ages, so there is a promise of sustainability.
Tagged vulture update: Our tagged vulture is still at Tahwa.
http://omanobserver.om/egyptian-vultures-population-thrive-al-amerat-landfills/ As with many stories, space restrictions meant that important information was left out. Here is more information that should give you a more complete picture.
Although the global population of Egyptian vultures is in severe decline, Oman appears to be a stronghold for this globally endangered species. It is both a home to an apparently healthy resident population and a wintertime destination for migrating birds that breed farther north and their offspring. The population density of breeding Egyptian vultures on Masirah is the second highest recorded in the world, and the Muscat municipal rubbish dump at Al Amerat is a real hotspot, especially in winter. While adult Egyptian vultures are white and black and have a bright yellow face, the juveniles and subadults are brown or mottled in colour.
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| Image from http://what-when-how.com/birds/egyptian-vulture-birds/ |
Egyptian vultures are scavengers, and in Oman many feed at municipal and village rubbish dumps. Oman is in the process of upgrading its waste disposal system, including improving landfills like those at Al Amerat, Quriyat, Tahwa (near Sur) and Barka. This may have effects on vultures and other scavengers, but the effects need not be entirely negative. The upgrading will result in fewer rubbish dumps, and they will be distributed differently than they are now. Also, separation of particularly toxic waste will improve and that should be beneficial to all.
We, International Avian Research (IAR), have teamed with the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) and The Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) to do research and promote conservation of Egyptian vultures and other scavengers in Oman and worldwide. The tracking the Oman Observer article mentions is the tracking reported on this blog, and we are working with our partners to extend that research, initiate public education activities and undertake direct conservation work.
Oman is trying to diversify its economy, and become less reliant on oil and gas for income. Tourism is a big part of that diversification, and Oman is an extremely attractive destination. Birdwatching tourism is an important sector of the overall tourism industry, and aims to tap into the many, many people who watch birds. In the US alone it is estimated that there are 46.7 million bird observers that spend $32 billion on birdwatching related activities annually (that's about 45% of Oman's GDP!) Also, birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor pursuit in the world, and attracts people of all ages, so there is a promise of sustainability.
Tagged vulture update: Our tagged vulture is still at Tahwa.
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