ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Graeme Green is a British photographer, journalist and travel writer. His work around the world takes in a variety of wildlife and outdoor adventures, often with a sharp focus on cultural and global issues. Find out more at graeme-green.com.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP," says Ishana Thapa, CEO of Bird Conservation Nepal. "After all our efforts, to have been proven scientifically as the first ever Vulture Safe Zone is quite an achievement. It's the first in the world."
There hasn't been much good news for the world's rapidly declining vulture populations in the past few decades. But the recent announcement of the first ever Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) in Nepal offers a glimmer of hope for the raptors, and could be key to securing their future.
The Gandaki-Lumbini VSZ encompasses 7,500km² in south-west Nepal, the buffer zone taking in Chitwan National Park. "In the same way people have a protected area for tigers or other animals, a Vulture Safe Zone is a protected area for vultures," Thapa explains.
There are 23 vulture species in the world. These often underrated birds have experienced 90-99 per cent declines throughout Asia and serious declines in many African countries. In Asia and Africa, more than half the resident vulture species are now listed as critically endangered.
Where is Nepal's Vulture Safe Zone?
Covering a large area of south-west Nepal, GandakiLumbini VSZ takes in part of the country's Chitwan National Park.
Esta historia es de la edición August 2022 de BBC Wildlife.
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Esta historia es de la edición August 2022 de BBC Wildlife.
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Jump Around - Bagheera Kiplingi - The acrobatic spider with a predilection for veggie food
Spiders eat flies, right? everyone knows that the 45,000 or so spiders in the world are all obligate carnivores, more or less – eating other animals, mainly invertebrates. Nature, however, loves an exception, and one particular spider missed out on that ecological memo. It goes by the wonderful scientific name of Bagheera kiplingi, and its claim to fame is that its diet is – at least mostly – vegetarian.
Female of the Species - Zebras - A strong sisterhood is key to staying safe
Zebras are masters of confusion. Their collective noun is ‘a dazzle’, which is fitting since their bodies and behaviour have been surprising scientists for centuries.
See It, Save It? - Wildlife tourism can be a powerful ally in protecting nature - but it can also harm it. We weigh up the pros and cons.
The sums of wildlife travel aren’t as simple as more tourists equals happier nature. How much did my visit really contribute to the conservation of Lady Liuwa and her habitat – and was that outweighed by carbon emissions from my flights? Did my presence disturb the animals’ natural behaviour more than it reduced the threat of poaching or benefited local communities?The question of whether wildlife travel is, on balance, good for wildlife is a complex one – and there’s no simple answer.
Can Your Really Offset Emissions? - Planning an overseas wildlife-watching trip entails facing some inconvenient truths
Imagine (or maybe you don't need to) that you hanker after the safari trip of a lifetime in sub-Saharan Africa. A 17-day tour beginning at the iconic Victoria Falls, passing through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, taking in some of the continent’s most wildlife-rich national parks, and ending on the lush island of Zanzibar.
Metamorphosis: a life-changing event
WITH EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST JV CHAMARY
New series for BBC One: Asia
Settle in this autumn for a new natural-history extravaganza on BBC One and iPlayer: the longawaited Asia, presented by Sir David Attenborough.
Loss of Antarctic sea ice could impact seabird food supply
Albatrosses and petrels may be forced to fly further to feed
Tarsiers in trouble
Urgent action is needed to ensure survival of the Yoda-like primate
SNAP-CHAT
Chien Lee on shrew loos, rogue drones and being rained out of bed
VISIONS OF NATURE
The winners of the Wildlife Artist of the Year competition 2024, from David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
