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.
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av BBC Wildlife.
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Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av BBC Wildlife.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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.
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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.
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