Assessment of Population Status and Diurnal Behaviour of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in Ghachowk, Kaski, Nepal

سال انتشار: 1402
نوع سند: مقاله ژورنالی
زبان: انگلیسی
مشاهده: 50

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شناسه ملی سند علمی:

JR_IJAB-19-2_001

تاریخ نمایه سازی: 26 بهمن 1402

چکیده مقاله:

Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFS) provide diclofenac-free food and create an ideal environment for long-term ecological research on vultures. This study determines the population status and investigates the diurnal behavior White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) at the Ghachowk VSFS in Kaski, Nepal. We deployed the absolute count method to determine population of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), while scan sampling was applied to investigate their diurnal behaviour. The observed population of Gyps bengalensis ranged from ۳۴ to ۶۵ individuals (with an average of ۵۰±۱۰, based on a sample size of ۹). Throughout the daytime, a total of ۱۶۵۱ instances of ۱۱ distinct activities were recorded for the species in ۷۲۹ separate observations. The most frequent daytime behaviour observed was perching (۲۸%) followed by preening (۱۴%), basking (۱۳%), scratching (۱۳%) flapping (۱۰%), flying (۹%) and disturbance (۷%). Other behaviors, like feeding, sleeping (roosting), fighting (competition), and bathing, were observed less frequently (<۲% each). Perching occurred most frequently during heavy rain, accounting for ۶۶% of the observations, and in the late afternoon, representing ۳۶% of the instances. Basking was most commonly observed during partly sunny conditions, comprising ۲۶% of the observations, and in the noon hours, representing ۲۰% of the instances. Scratching behavior was most frequently observed during clear weather, accounting for ۱۶% of the observations, and during cloudy conditions and in the morning, accounting for ۱۴% of the instances. In the Ghachowk VSFS, other associated species with White-rumped Vulture were Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, and Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris. This study plays a pivotal role in uncovering the conservation requirements especially in reducing social taboos of the tradition communities regarding this critically endangered species which needs strong social support for its long-term conservation.

نویسندگان

Anju Koirala

Clean Energy Nepal, Mahalaxmisthan, Lalipur-۴۴۶۰۰, Nepal

Tej Kumar Shrestha

School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Albany Campus, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Rajeev Joshi

College of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Katari-۵۶۳۱۰, Udayapur, Nepal

Ganesh Paudel

Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu-۴۴۶۰۰, Nepal.

Kamal Raj Gosai

Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Ghantaghar, Kathmandu-۴۴۶۰۰, Nepal.

Suman Ghimire

College of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Katari-۵۶۳۱۰, Udayapur, Nepal