Search

Large-scale declines in vulture populations have been recorded in West Africa. One concern is that the current trend in Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus populations in West Africa is poorly known. To help fill this knowledge gap, we conducted nationwide road counts in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, using (where possible) the same routes and methods as counts conducted in 1969–1973 and 2003–2004 (46–50 years later). Use of exactly the same routes was unfortunately possible only in Burkina Faso as a result of the security situation in sub-Saharan West Africa at the time of this study. Our results reveal that Burkina Faso remains a stronghold for Hooded Vultures with a mean abundance of 62 individuals per 100 km, reaching a peak of 217 per 100 km in the highest abundance areas. A comparison between early and recent studies shows that populations of Hooded Vulture are still declining in the West African sub-region. In Burkina Faso, the number of Hooded Vultures per 100 km decreased from 122 to 75 (a decline of 38%) over the last five decades. In the West African sub-region, under both 'best-case' and 'worst-case' scenarios, Hooded Vultures seem to have declined by 58% to 65% between the 1970s and 2019. The main causes of this population decline in West Africa are unintentional poisoning, decreasing food availability, and the trade in vulture body parts for Traditional Medicine. Conservation actions for Hooded Vultures in West Africa could include the implementation of supplementary feeding sites (also known as 'vulture restaurants') and decreasing the demand for vulture body parts (for use in Traditional Medicine and mystical practices) by offering relevant alternatives such as plants and their derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns of variation in the size of vulture foraging groups, and their ecological causes and consequences, remain little explored despite strong links with the carrion recycling service that this key functional group provides. We documented the group size-frequency pattern of Andean condors Vultur gryphus gathered to feed on 42 equine carcasses experimentally placed in Bolivia, between 2012 and 2019, along an elevation range of 1,300–4,500 m asl. Based on the location (altitude and latitude) of the foraging groups, we examined the relationship between their size and species' population parameters (size and trend), habitat conditions, and livestock carcass availability and predictability. Condors utilized a high frequency (93%) of carcasses forming groups that ranged from 1 to 80 individuals (mean = 25, median = 18) and shaped a "lazy-J curve" typical pattern of size-frequency distribution whereby few groups (5, 12%) were large (> 55 individuals) and most (21, 50%) were relatively small (<19 individuals). Group size related to altitude in that most larger groups formed at lower sites (below c. 3,000 m asl), likely following an altitudinal gradient whereby larger groups are more likely to form around larger carcasses (i.e. cattle), which are more likely to occur at lower elevations. Regardless of population size, group size could be an adaptive response of condors via local enhancement for improving individual scavenging efficiency. Many information gaps on this topic still exist, thus we provide a set of questions to address them, especially amidst the unrestricted impacts of human activities that condition vulture survival globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown the importance of Myanmar for the conservation of three 'Critically Endangered' vulture populations. From November 2022 to March 2023, we carried out rapid surveys on vulture nests and nesting tree characteristics in Ke Hsi Township, Shan Highlands. We recorded 10 nests of White-rumped Vultures, Gyps bengalensis, on five nesting trees from four different localities. Six nests were active, and six nestlings were observed; four nests were inactive or abandoned. Most of the nests were recorded on Ficus spp. and the mean nest height was 13.6 m (SD ± 4.1) above ground. This represents the first confirmed record of the breeding success of Whiterumped Vultures from Shan Highlands and confirms the ongoing presence of the species in Shan States. The population of G. bengalensis in Shan Highlands is small, but the confirmed breeding is significant in the wider context for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimization is necessary for solving and improving the solution of various complex problems. Every meta-heuristic algorithm can have a weak point, and multiple mechanisms and methods can be used to overcome these weaknesses. Some algorithms perform well in the discovery phase and some algorithms perform better in the exploitation phase. Hybridizing algorithms can be a good solution to achieve a powerful algorithm, and hybridizing algorithms and mechanisms greedily lead to an increase in computational complexity and execution time. This paper presents a new and intelligent approach by hybridizing meta-heuristic algorithms and using different mechanisms simultaneously without significantly increasing the time complexity. For this purpose, salp swarm optimization (SSO) and the African vulture optimization algorithm (AVOA) have been hybridized to improve the optimization process of the modified choice function and learning automata mechanisms. In addition, two other improving mechanisms, named opposition-based learning (OBL) and β-hill climbing (BHC) technique, have been presented and integrated with the AVOA–SSA algorithm. Fifty-two standard benchmarks were used to test and evaluate the AVOA–SSA algorithm. Finally, an improved version of the extreme learning machine (ELM) classifier has been used with real stock market data for stock market prediction. The obtained results indicate the excellent and acceptable performance of the AVOA–SSA algorithm in 'solving optimization problems and have been able to achieve high-quality solutions. According to the results obtained from the AVOA–SSA algorithm, in comparison to global optimization problems, the AVOA–SSA algorithm has been able to obtain the best results in 21 functions out of 23 standard benchmarks. Also, against CEC2017 problems, it has been able to perform best in 26 out of 29 functions. In addition, the AVOA–SSA algorithm has been able to perform better than other compared algorithms in all five datasets evaluated in the stock market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals rely on a balance of personal and social information to decide when and where to move next in order to access a desired resource. The benefits from cueing on conspecifics to reduce uncertainty about resource availability can be rapidly overcome by the risks of within-group competition, often exacerbated toward low-ranked individuals. Being obligate soarers, relying on thermal updraughts to search for carcasses around which competition can be fierce, vultures represent ideal models to investigate the balance between personal and social information during foraging movements. Linking dominance hierarchy, social affinities and meteorological conditions to movement decisions of eight captive vultures, Gyps spp., released for free flights in natural soaring conditions, we found that they relied on social information (i.e. other vultures using/having used the thermals) to find the next thermal updraught, especially in unfavourable flight conditions. Low-ranked individuals were more likely to disregard social cues when deciding where to go next, possibly to minimize the competitive risk of social aggregation. These results exemplify the architecture of decision-making during flight in social birds. It suggests that the environmental context, the context of risk and the social system as a whole calibrate the balance between personal and social information use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Research Aims: Little information exists on the breeding behavior of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). Its global population, estimated at 6700 adult individuals, is declining throughout its distribution range. With less than 150 condors, the Endangered condor population in Ecuador is of conservation concern. This study aimed to analyze the breeding behavior of wild-born Andean Condors in Ecuador. Methods: Between 2009 and 2021, we monitored 22 egg-laying attempts in eight Andean Condor nests, evaluated the parental care of three breeding pairs of condors and recorded the species' interactions with other raptors and mammals during the nestling-rearing season, and examined the breeding success of an Andean Condor pair during a decade of monitoring. Results: Our breeding records indicated that Andean Condor lay eggs throughout the year, and 16 nestlings spent between six and 10 months in the nest before making their first flights. We found differences in the length of time that the parents remain with the nestling, and described agonistic encounters between condors and other raptors and a Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in the condor nesting areas. The breeding success of the monitored condor pair was 0.88 nestlings per clutch, and the female laid an egg on average every 15 months. Conclusion: Considering the small size of the Andean Condor population in Ecuador, studies on the breeding behavior of wild-born condors are a high research priority to assess population trends and prevent extinction. Specifically, we recommend further research on parental care, breeding success, nestling survivorship, and nesting phenology. Implications for Conservation: Beyond the importance of the protected area system, strategic planning of key areas for the maintenance of condor populations in the northern Andes must encompass the evaluation of new potential protected areas that offer direct benefits to these birds. These should include nesting sites in human-dominated landscapes such as rural Andean areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White‐rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) are critically endangered species, and protecting their habitats, particularly the nesting trees, may have a positive impact on their reproductive success. For a better understanding of vultures' habitat needs, the characteristics of nesting trees should be accounted. In this paper, we compare the characteristics of the trees that have vultures' nests and that do not by randomly select a control tree within a 10 m radius of the nesting tree. We extensively searched and monitored the white‐rumped vultures' nests, nesting trees, and nesting tree species in Nepal between 2002 and 2022, and measured the characteristics of sampled trees such as their height, girth, canopy spread, branching orders, and whorls. We recorded 1161 nests of white‐rumped vulture in total on 194 trees belonging to 19 species over the past two decades. White‐rumped vultures preferred the kapok trees (Bombax ceiba) for nest construction than other tree species (χ2 = 115.38, df = 1, p <.001) as 66.49% of nests were built on them. In the logistic regression model, the number of whorls on a tree, canopy spread, and the height of the first branch determined whether a nest was present or absent on a tree. These results help to prioritize the tree attributes in a habitat conservation plan for vultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract While the influence of public information sharing on foraging strategies is of growing interest, empirical studies exploring intraguild social information use and facilitation roles between individuals with different trophic specializations remain scarce. Heterospecific facilitation should be more common in specialist foragers, for example, the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, a solitary bone‐eating scavenger. We monitored 133 carcasses of different types/sizes in open and shrubland landscapes in the Spanish Pyrenees to explore bearded vulture foraging in relation to social information transfer and adaptive trophic behavior. We hypothesized that they might (1) feed on carcasses after initial heterospecific exploitation; (2) use heterospecifics to locate and/or exploit carcasses; and (3) prefer old carcasses over fresh ones. We recorded bearded vultures scavenging at 44 carcasses; 95.5% had been previously exploited by heterospecifics (93.2% by griffon vultures Gyps fulvus and 2.3% by golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos) while only two small‐sized carcasses were scavenged without previous heterospecific exploitation. Bearded vultures were not observed scavenging at carcasses used only by mammals. Both griffon and bearded vultures took longer to find carcasses in shrublands than in open landscapes. However, bearded vulture arrival times between landscapes after carcass discovery by griffon vultures were similar. Bearded vultures were more likely to discover a carcass the greater the number of griffon vultures exploiting it. Only 10.4% bearded vulture scavenging events occurred after the third week following heterospecific exploitation, suggesting that recently opened carcasses were preferred. Clearly, heterospecifics play an essential role in bearded vultures foraging success, and griffon vultures are fundamental facilitators for specialist foragers, both in providing visual cues to food location and in opening up carcasses to enable access to food.

Abstract Background Populations of vultures in Africa have experienced a rapid decline over recent decades, with some species suffering losses of more than 90%. Various forms of human pressures have been identified as the causes of this decline. However, very little is known about the complex interaction between cultural practises, traditional medicine and the vultures’ natural environment. The purpose of this study was to analyse human pressures on vultures in relation with cultural attitudes such as their demand for magico-traditional medicine in Côte d’Ivoire, around the Comoé National Park (CNP), one of the last major refuges of these organisms in West Africa. Methods Eleven surrounding villages were visited to carry out ethno-ornithology surveys. One hundred and ten people were interviewed, at a rate of ten people per village, using a semi-structured questionnaire and informal discussions. Results The findings showed that vultures are still being seen both in and around the CNP. The most common species indicated to be observed and indicated by the interviewees were the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and the White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis). Nevertheless, 98.2% of the interviewees indicated having observed a decrease in the abundance of vultures over the last few years in the study area, as well as a decline in the number of sightings of these organisms. Interviewees attributed this scarcity of vultures to (1) the limited availability of food resources, (2) pesticide and tobacco poisoning, (3) hunting, (4) rapid population growth, (5) annual bushfires and (6) habitat loss. The uses of the vulture or parts of vultures by the populations surrounding the CNP (traditional medicine, mystic practises, consumption as food, cultural heritage) were also highlighted as real threats to these organisms. And the vulture parts commonly used in this area are: feathers, legs, head, heart, stomach, brain and excrement. The Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) appears to be the most sought-after species and the most widely used for these practises in the study area. Conclusion Appropriate conservation and communication initiatives are required to ensure the survival of these raptors, crucial for ecosystem well-being, while also ensuring a respect of cultural practises.

"Postmedia Effect: How Vulture Capitalism Is Wrecking Our News" by Marc Edge explores the decline of the newspaper industry in Canada due to the influence of hedge funds. The author highlights the actions of Paul Godfrey, the central figure at Postmedia Network, and criticizes his decisions, such as merging competing newspapers and prioritizing bond holders over shareholders. Edge argues that hedge funds have drained newsrooms financially, leading to the downfall of independent journalism. He also discusses the impact of government subsidies and suggests nonprofit journalism as a potential solution. The book emphasizes the need to protect the industry and explores the struggles between news publishers and tech giants like Google and Meta. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Journal of Threatened Taxa is the property of Wildlife Information Liaison Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Populations of the critically endangered white-rumped vulture (WRV) Gyps bengalensis have declined drastically due to the use of diclofenac for veterinary purposes in Indian subcontinent. Thirty-two dead WRVs collected from three states, namely Gujarat, Assam and Tamil Nadu in India between 2011 and 2014 were investigated to understand the role of diclofenac in the death, and the results were published. Furthermore, since organochlorine pesticides have been linked to long-term impact on populations in many species of birds across the globe, available tissues of 21 WRVs were tested also for six organochlorine pesticides (DDT, HCH, endosulfan, heptachlor, dieldrin and dicofol) and chlorpyrifos. All vultures were found to have had one or more detectable levels of pesticides in their tissues except one. Similarly, all the pesticides included in the study were detected in at least one of the vultures analysed. DDT (95.2%) was the most frequently detected pesticide followed by HCH (90.5%), and DDT (73.6%) contributed the most to the total pesticide load. Total pesticide load ranged between below detection limit (BDL) and 8753.4 ng/g. High levels of total pesticide load recorded in gut contents showed recent exposure to these legacy pesticides even long after their ban. However, it is perceived that studied pesticides' exposure to birds and their presence in the environment is in decreasing trend in India. Although, varying levels of pesticides were detected, all of which were below the levels reported to be toxic, and also reported earlier in the same species in India. Recorded levels may not create a problem to vultures unlike diclofenac; nevertheless, as continued exposure to the pesticides studied may lead to sub lethal effects in birds, it is prudent to monitor these pesticides along with new generation pesticides and NSAIDs in the critically endangered white-rumped vulture in India, towards its conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between skull shape and dietary ecology in birds at macroevolutionary scales has recently been called into question by analyses of 3D shape that reveal that cranial anatomy is mainly influenced by other factors such as allometry. It is still unknown whether this form‐function disconnect also exists at smaller evolutionary scales, for example within specialized ecological guilds. Vultures are a diverse guild of 23 extant species in two families (Accipitridae and Cathartidae) that exhibit evolutionary convergence as a result of highly specialized feeding ecology. Vultures are the only known obligate scavengers among vertebrates and are usually grouped together under this single dietary category, but within this specialized diet there are three distinct, species‐specific feeding strategies termed ripper, gulper, and scrapper. We use three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics to quantify the relative contributions of feeding ecology, allometry, and phylogeny on vulture skull shape, along with several non‐vulture raptors of similar size, range and ecology. Families show clear separation in shape, but phylogenetic signal is comparatively weak (Kmult = 0.33). Taking into account the influence of phylogeny, skull shape is not significantly correlated with either skull size or feeding type, but there are examples of strong, significant convergence and parallel shape evolution across feeding groups. Furthermore, skull shape performs strongly in predicting feeding ecology in a phylogenetic discriminant function analysis. These findings highlight the importance of detailed assessment of feeding behavior in studies of ecomorphology, rather than broader dietary categories alone, and reveal that ecology can be readily inferred from form given appropriate information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the Aragonese Pyrenees, we studied the survival and productivity of bearded vultures, an endangered species known for its diet of bones. Using data from 1987 to 2020, we found that the survival rates for juveniles, subadults and adults were 90%, 95% and 92%, respectively. Overall, the species' survival has improved, but juvenile survival is a concern. Productivity in the area is decreasing. Our research helps identify vulnerable age groups, guiding conservation efforts. The study suggests being cautious about feeding points to protect the species. The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is an endangered species with a specialist osteophagous (bone) diet. We estimated the survival and productivity of this vulture in the Aragonese Pyrenees, where the main population of the species in Europe is found. We used a database covering a period of 33 years (1987–2020). To estimate the probability of survival, we used Cormack–Jolly–Seber models with a Bayesian approach. Our models estimated a survival rate of 0.90 ± 0.08 in juveniles, 0.95 ± 0.04 in subadults and 0.92 ± 0.05 in adults. The survival probability increased over the study period in adults and subadults but not in juveniles. By contrast, productivity decreased over the same period. Our study provides updated information on the status of two demographic parameters of great importance to the species and allows us to identify the most vulnerable age classes and to plan conservation actions to improve the situation of the species in a territory that is a donor of specimens for reintroduction projects. The estimated survival values suggest that more caution should be exercised when planning these feeding points according to the use the species makes of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human–wildlife conflicts may have devastating consequences for fauna due to targeting by humans of wildlife populations suspected to have predated livestock. Suspicion of depredation of extensively raised livestock by vultures in Europe has triggered public administration-led forensic investigations intended to distinguish between predation and scavenging in order to compensate farmers for attacks on their livestock. In this study, gross and histological analyses were carried out on suspected cases of domestic animal depredation by griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) over a 1-year period. Fifty-eight animals were affected (n = 41, suspected depredation), including domestic cattle (75.9%), sheep (22.4%) and a goat (1.7%). All the adults affected were female and most cases of suspected depredation occurred during the peripartum period (56%). Histological investigations distinguished between post-mortem (84% of diagnostic samples) and ante-mortem (16% of diagnostic samples) cases, and gross examinations revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.002) between ante-mortem, post-mortem and non-diagnostic samples. This study highlights the need to optimize sampling protocols to increase the success of forensic studies. The forensic investigations presented here may be applied to resolve human–wildlife conflicts involving not only vultures but other endangered carnivores and contribute to human–wildlife coexistence in rural areas by protecting the interests of both the livestock sector and endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many vulture species worldwide are declining at alarming rates due to a variety of anthropogenic causes, including exposure to pollutants and pharmaceuticals through consumption of contaminated carrion. However, little is known about the extent to which vultures are exposed to various contaminants as well as toxicity thresholds for trace elements and heavy metals. Our objective was to quantify levels of trace elements and heavy metals within black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) tissues to determine the extent to which populations in the Southeastern United States are exposed to carrion that contains high levels of contaminants. We collected 34 black vulture liver samples and examined differences in trace element and heavy metal concentrations between sexes and age classes (adult and juvenile). Further, we collected 81 blood and 42 feather samples from additional black and turkey vultures and compared differences between species and age classes. We found similar element concentrations between juvenile and adult black vultures with the exception of Cu, where levels were higher in juveniles compared to adults. However, we did observe substantial differences in element concentrations between species for both blood and feather samples, with black vultures generally having higher concentrations of most elements. Our data revealed higher element levels in both species compared to toxicity thresholds found in other bird of prey species, such as blood and liver toxicity threshold suggestions for Pb poisoning in Falconiformes. Further, while average contaminant levels were generally low, extreme outliers were observed for some elements, including Pb, suggesting some individuals were exposed to high levels of potentially toxic elements. More research is needed to better understand contaminant exposure in black and turkey vultures across a broader geographic region, as well as elucidate toxicity thresholds and non-lethal impacts of contaminant exposure in these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the most abundant and widespread vulture in Europe, has been the focus of two LIFE project in Sardinia, that foresaw, among other actions, the release of individuals to increase population size. Within the project LIFE Under Griffon Wings (2015-2020), out of 76 Griffon Vultures that have been released in North Western Sardinia, 43 have been fitted with GPS/GSM tags. On the 3rd of April 2023, one of these Griffon Vultures, named "Caniga", crossed the Strait of Bonifacio and reached Corsica. It stayed on the island for 20 days, before returning to Sardinia on the 23rd of April. Despite Griffon Vultures have been occasionally reported in Corsica in the last decades, this was the first time that one of the individuals released within the LIFE "Under Griffon Wings" project was recorded there. This observation provides evidence that expanding Griffon Vultures in Sardinia could also include Corsica in their movements and calls for the transboundary management of vulture populations between the two islands, including both monitoring and conservation actions minimizing anthropogenic mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slender-billed vulture is an Old-world vulture classified as critically endangered, yet insufficiently studied on account of future habitat and population trends. This is a narrow ranging, forest confined species found in the moist deciduous Tarai region of Northern India along Himalayan foothills. In the wake of a decreasing population trend and impact of climate change, we made model predictions to study suitable habitat area dynamics. Though the Ensemble model predicted better results than other models (GBM, GLM, MARS, CTA, ANN, MaxEnt, RF and SVM), independent Maxent prediction was found equally good. Suitable area was mainly determined by two vital climatic variables. Rising mean temperature of the driest quarter, 16 oC onwards, and falling precipitation of the wettest month, 700 mm downwards, lowered the habitability of this vulture in Tarai ecozone. The projected suitable habitat showed spatiotemporal dynamics and a general trend of net gain in the expanse in different emission scenarios of near and distant future. However, the predicted population status was not encouraging. It is suggested that considerable attention and quick recovery management practices should be enforced proactively by total warding off of the population from diclofenac, followed by intensive breeding in captivity, habitat improvement and habitat construction/reconstruction for further spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As obligate scavengers, vultures are important to ecosystem health but their numbers are declining globally. A major cause may be habitat loss due to anthropogenic or natural factors. Four threatened and endangered non-Gyps vultures (Bearded, Cinereous, Egyptian, Red-headed) found in many other countries also inhabit diverse floristic landscapes of India. This study aimed to determine present habitat expanse and the projected changes in habitat in future, identify vital habitat influencing factors, and suggest conservation strategies. Species Distribution Model Maxent, presence locations and bioclimate data for the present, and short- and long-term future were used and predictions were made for these four species. To increase the accuracy, uncertainties were removed, ensemble models were created using three GCMs and data for two RCPs (RCP4.5, RCP8.5) across two future tenures. All the models had strong predictability (AUC: 0.759–0.966, TSS: 0.445–0.866, and CBI: 0.986–1.000). With respect to habitat suitability across the landscapes, in the present-day scenario, 5%, 10%, 18% and 48% of the area were found suitable for Bearded, Cinereous, Red-headed, and Egyptian vultures, respectively, against 3.28 million km2. This expanse fluctuated due to the changing climate in future scenarios, considerably large patches undergoing either loss or gain in suitability. The three most vital bioclimatic variables for habitat prediction were bio19 (Precipitation of coldest quarter), bio01 (Mean annual temperature), and bio07 (Temperature annual range). The data generated could be useful in developing conservation strategies. Consistently suitable area could be used for establishing vulture protection area and vulnerable areas for habitat improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North American populations of Black Vultures Coragyps atratus have increased and expanded their distribution in the southern and eastern USA. In conjunction with these patterns has been a rise in human–vulture conflicts. To improve our understanding of space use patterns and better inform management, we evaluated the movements of Black Vultures (n = 23) in the southeastern USA using a long‐term GPS tracking database. Our specific objectives were to: (1) quantify home‐range sizes in relation to season and geographical study location and (2) examine within‐home‐range resource selection to identify landscape and anthropogenic factors influencing roost and diurnal space use. Home‐range sizes did not significantly differ between breeding and non‐breeding seasons. However, there were differences across geographical study locations, with the largest home‐ranges located in Florida. Similarly, there was limited seasonal variation in resource selection; however, use of anthropogenic features did vary by geographical study location. Overall Black Vultures avoided homogeneous landscapes regardless of season or activity and exhibited a strong selection for areas with increased landscape richness. Increased landscape richness, unlike homogeneous habitat, provides a diversity of resources for Black Vultures in a localized area, such as food, water, roosting and perch sites, and the creation of energy‐efficient flight opportunities. Contrasting with natural landscape feature selection, selection of anthropogenic features, such as landfill proximity and road density, was highly variable across individuals and study location. The high level of variation in selection for anthropogenic features provides further evidence of the propensity of Black Vultures to be flexible and opportunistic. The findings of this study stress the importance of using site‐specific studies effectively to understand and manage local vulture populations and mitigate associated human–vulture conflicts. Wildlife managers should exercise caution when implementing vulture management actions based on inferences from telemetry studies conducted in other geographical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The so-called 'Platonic dilemma' is a product of Plato's underrating of the capacity of imaginative writing to aid the cause of good leadership in the society. This is probably what impelled Oscar Wilde to claim that "all art is quite useless." This paper distances itself from such Platonic and Wildean broadside against literary creativity. Rather, the paper argues that imaginative literature conscientizes state steersmen to be positive and useful in the management of the polity and its scarce resources. The paper interrogates the reactionary but progressive dialogic on corruption and misappropriation, neo-colonialism and mal-administration with the consequences thereof, in the African environment as represented in Nwabueze's A Parliament of Vultures and Irobi's Cemetery Road. Underscoring the necessity for positive change through the reining-in of inordinate, greedy, and self-decapitating power, the paper details how literary creativity and its creators labour to whip power into line for the harnessing and advancement of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German notion of Heimat is a form of place attachment that is simultaneously shaped by senses of longing and belonging. Heimat not only accommodates the unhomely in the homely, it also blends foreign perspectives with stylized forms of self-exoticization. To the extent that Heimat responds to a desire for rediscovering the (trans)national in the local, the urban in the provincial, the modern in the anti-modern, and so on, it may be described as a delocalized place. This article examines changing national, gendered, and generic transpositions of Alpine imaginaries by analyzing film adaptations of two novels that prefigure and refigure Heimat art respectively: Wilhelmine von Hillern’s Die Geier-Wally (The Vulture Wally), which appeared in 1873 and became the source of many film and TV adaptations, and Thomas Willmann’s Alpine Western Das finstere Tal (The Dark Valley), published in 2010 and adapted to a motion picture by Andreas Prochaska in 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lower Palaeolithic site of Cimitero di Atella is located in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy), about 10 km south of the extinct Monte Vulture volcano. The site was discovered in the early 1990s and was continuously excavated for nearly twenty years under the supervision of Professor E. Borzatti von Löwenstern (University of Florence). This open-air site contained a 5-m-thick fluvio-lacustrine sequence characterized by the occurrence of two main archaeological units with lithic industries and faunal remains. Based on the composition of the lithic assemblages, and in particular the presence of handaxes in the Lower unit, Borzatti von Löwenstern (et al., 1997) attributed the site to the Early Acheulean. Cimitero di Atella was interpreted as the result of various lake shore occupations linked to the exploitation of large mammals (Palaeoloxodon antiquus and Bison sp.) and the opportunistic use of raw materials to produce simple small and large lithic tools (Borzatti von Löwenstern et al., 1997). The purpose of this paper is to present the last five years of research at the site. Geochronological, palaeontological and palynological investigations have been conducted to shed light on the environmental and chronological context of the site and the associated human occupations levels. This essential step enables us to evaluate the nature and potential of archaeological data in order to place the results in a broader framework. The accurate study of the context and of the archaeological material of Cimitero di Atella enable us to rethink the crucial question of the emergence of the bifacial phenomenon in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing complex optimization problems demands innovative solutions capable of navigating the interdependencies among variables, a reality often oversimplified by traditional metaheuristics. To address this challenge, this paper presents an enhanced African Vultures Optimization Algorithm, termed ci-AVOA, that incorporates the Choquet Integral, a powerful operator adept at considering criteria significance and interconnectedness in optimization scenarios. Unlike its predecessor, the ci-AVOA treats optimization problems in their true complexity by recognizing and accounting for the relationships between variables. The performance of ci-AVOA is evaluated on ten CEC2020 benchmark functions and four engineering design problems, pitted against other renowned optimization algorithms and the original AVOA. Across low and high dimensional benchmark functions, ci-AVOA consistently outperforms its counterparts, underpinning its superiority. This superior performance is further validated using non-parametric statistical tests, solidifying ci-AVOA as an effective and robust tool for tackling complex optimization problems. In essence, this study provides a significant contribution by augmenting a well-known metaheuristic with the Choquet Integral to devise a superior algorithm, ci-AVOA. This innovation extends the problem-solving capabilities of metaheuristics, promising more accurate and robust solutions for complex, real-world optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate conservation interventions, it is necessary to obtain reliable population trends for short (<10 years) time scales. Telemetry can be used to estimate short‐term survival rates and is a common tool for assessing population trends, but it has limitations and can be biased toward specific behavioral traits of tagged individuals. Encounter rates calculated from transects can be useful for assessing changes across multiple species, but they can have large confidence intervals and be affected by variations in survey conditions. The decline of African vultures has been well‐documented, but understanding of recent trends is lacking. To examine population trends, we used survival estimates from telemetry data collected over 6 years (primarily for white‐backed vultures [Gyps africanus]) and transect counts conducted over 8 years (for 7 scavenging raptors) in 3 large protected areas in Tanzania. Population trends were estimated using survival analysis combined with the Leslie Lefkovitch matrix model from the telemetry data and using Bayesian mixed effects generalized linear regression models from the transect data. Both methods showed significant declines for white‐backed vultures in Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks. Only telemetry estimates suggested significant declines in Katavi National Park. Encounter rates calculated from transects also showed declines in Nyerere National Park for lappet‐faced vultures (38% annual declines) and Bateleurs (18%) and in Ruaha National Park for white‐headed vultures (Trigonoceps occipitalis) (19%). Mortality rates recorded and inferred from telemetry suggested that poisoning is prevalent. However, only 6 mortalities of the 26 presumed mortalities were confirmed to be caused by poisoning, highlighting the challenges of determining the cause of death when working across large landscapes. Despite declines, our data provide evidence that southern Tanzania has higher current encounter rates of African vultures than elsewhere in East Africa. Preventing further declines will depend greatly on mitigating poisoning. Based on our results, we suggest that the use of multiple techniques improves understanding of population trends over the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover: A lappet‐faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), listed as endangered by the IUCN, in East Africa. The use of multiple techniques can improve understanding of population trends. Kendall et al. (e14146) used telemetry, analyzed with Bayesian models, and transect counts, combined with Leslie Lefkovitch models, in a study of vulture populations in Tanzanian protected areas. They found that even with a relatively small sample size, telemetry and transect data illuminated short‐term population trends and that vultures, including the lappet‐faced vulture, and other scavenging raptors are declining significantly in southern Tanzania.. [Extracted from the article]

For all species, causes of mortality, both anthropogenic and natural, should be recorded. In Critically Endangered species these records are even more important, owing to their potential impacts on small and/or declining populations. Here we present a case of natural mortality that occurred when a 20-day old Hooded Vulture nestling fell from its nest in Limpopo province, South Africa, which is a new cause of mortality for the Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus throughout its range. We also compile all known causes of mortality for Hooded Vultures from the scientific and grey literature. The carcass of this nestling was found on the ground below the nest some 25 days later. This cause of mortality is previously undocumented for this vulture species, and it was recorded on a series of photographs taken by a camera trap in the nest tree. We believe this cause of mortality to be uncommon when compared to other threats faced by this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are diet-based micronutrients important in health and coloration signaling. Related species with similar diets can differ in the kinds and levels of circulating carotenoids, which suggests specific physiological mechanisms to efficiently utilize these micronutrients, regardless of their availability. We explored whether diet and parental provisioning of unusual sources of carotenoids (fresh vegetal matter and vertebrate feces) can explain the occurrence and concentrations of carotenoids in the cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus , griffon vulture Gyps fulvus , and Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus nestlings, even when these pigments appear to not be deposited in their integumentary system. A greater diversity of wild prey in diet could be behind the profile of higher concentrations of carotenoids in the Egyptian vulture, the species with carotenoid-dependent coloration during adulthood, while differences in diet composition between cinereous and griffon vultures do not translate to different carotenoid profiles. The carotenoid profile appears to not be related to the ingestion of unusual matter rich in these compounds, although the infrequent occurrence of lycopene and unidentified γ-carotene-like compounds suggest that these vultures may be exploiting vegetal matter that left no identifiable unconsumed remains in the nest of Egyptian vultures. The consumption of green plant material by griffon vultures does not result in especially high levels of carotenoids when compared to the carotenoids found in cinereous vultures, which do not consume green plant material. Ungulate feces were not provisioned to Egyptian vulture nestlings, despite the fact they contain carotenoids that adults need for appropriate coloration. Overall, this study indicates that diet differences alone appear insufficient to explain contrasting interspecific carotenoid profiles, especially since all types of food consumed are considered to be poor in carotenoids, except vegetable matter. We suggest that nestling Egyptian vultures are comparatively efficient in uptaking carotenoids present in low concentrations in food when these compounds are not deposited in their integument, which suggests allocation to other functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vultures are among the most threatened species in Africa, with several critically endangered species surviving mainly or only in protected areas. West African vulture declines are correlated with steep losses of natural habitat and mammalian wildlife. Major factors driving vulture extirpations include wildlife trade for traditional medicine, belief-based rituals, and bushmeat. Current data on vulture abundance and breeding ecology are crucial for conservation but lacking in many countries, including Ghana. Between 2020 and 2022, we conducted 761 km of surveys for critically endangered vultures in Mole National Park (Mole NP), a 4840 km2 protected savanna in northern Ghana. Using our count data, we estimated populations of 29–36 Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus), 25–73 White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus), and 3–4 White-headed Vultures (Trigonoceps occipitalis) in the southern region of Mole NP. We also documented 17 occupied vulture nests, including six Hooded Vulture nests, 10 White-backed Vulture nests, and one White-headed Vulture nest. Our findings include the first nest records for Hooded Vultures in Mole NP, the first nest description of White-backed Vultures in Ghana, and the first nest records for White-headed Vultures in Ghana, confirming the importance of Mole NP for conserving critically endangered vultures. Reducing poaching, preventing the killing of vultures for wildlife trade, and protecting vulture habitat and food resources will be paramount to the survival of critically endangered vultures in Ghana and West Africa. Los buitres están entre las especies más amenazadas en África, con varias especies en peligro crítico de extinción que sobreviven principalmente o sólo en áreas protegidas. Las disminuciones de buitres del oeste de África están correlacionadas con pérdidas pronunciadas de hábitat natural y de fauna de mamíferos, y el comercio de fauna silvestre para medicina tradicional, rituales basados en creencias y carne de caza son los factores principales que impulsan su extinción local. Los datos actuales sobre abundancia y ecología reproductiva de los buitres son cruciales para su conservación, pero faltan en muchos países, incluyendo Ghana. Entre 2020 y 2022, realizamos 761 km de censos de buitres en peligro crítico de extinción en el Parque Nacional Mole (PN Mole), una sabana protegida de 4840 km2 en el norte de Ghana. Usando nuestros datos de conteo, estimamos poblaciones de 29–36 individuos de Necrosyrtes monachus, 25–73 individuos de Gyps africanus y 3–4 individuos de Trigonoceps occipitalis en la región sur del PN Mole. También documentamos 17 nidos de buitre ocupados, incluyendo seis nidos de N. monachus, 10 nidos de G. africanus y un nido de T. occipitalis. Nuestros hallazgos incluyen los primeros registros de nidos de N. monachus en el PN Mole, la primera descripción del nido de G. africanus en Ghana y los primeros registros de nidos de T. occipitalis en Ghana, confirmando la importancia del PN Mole para conservar buitres en peligro crítico de extinción. Reducir la caza furtiva, prevenir la matanza de buitres para el comercio de fauna silvestre, y proteger el hábitat y los recursos alimenticios de los buitres será fundamental para la supervivencia de los buitres en peligro crítico de extinción en Ghana y África Occidental. [Traducción de los autores editada] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fall of 2023, artist Ebony G. Patterson showcased her immersive and thought-provoking exhibition, "…things come to thrive… in the shedding… in the molting…," at the New York Botanical Garden. The exhibition used sculpture, plant life, and black vultures to explore themes of decay, regrowth, and regeneration. Patterson aimed to challenge viewers by highlighting the historical origins of the garden's plants, many of which arrived on the same boats as enslaved individuals. The exhibition featured a path that led visitors deeper into a maze of vegetation, where the behavior of the vultures became more menacing and organized. The show also included translucent cast-glass body parts and a white peacock on a scaffolding, symbolizing vulnerability and the potential for regeneration. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the sensory and experimental practice of three recent eco-films, Geographies of Solitude, vulture, and Lichen, all of whose formal strategies are oriented around a desire to recalibrate perception of the natural world and to attune spectators to the diversity and proliferating life of "other-than-human relatives." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a knowledge gap in the study of Argasidae soft ticks and the pathogens they can transmit. These hematophagous arthropods are widely distributed and are often considered typical bird ectoparasites. Tick-parasitized birds can act not only as a reservoir of pathogens but also can carry these pathogen-infected arthropods to new areas. Seven griffon vulture nestlings were sampled in northeastern Spain, collecting ticks (n = 28) from two individuals and blood from each vulture (n = 7). Blood samples from griffon vultures tested PCR positive for Flavivirus (7/7), Anaplasma (6/7), piroplasms (4/7), and Rickettsia (1/7). A total of 27 of the 28 analyzed ticks were positive for Rickettsia, 9/28 for Anaplasma, 2/28 for piroplasms, and 5/28 for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia ardeae, and zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum in vultures and Rickettsia spp., B. ardeae, and CCHFv genotype V in ticks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raptors are large carnivorous birds, most well known for their scavenging nature. This study evalu-ates the level of exposure to toxins in raptors and vultures in Albania to assess whether existing legis-lation and regulations are effectively protecting vultures and other wildlife in Albania. During 20142018, at the Wildlife Animals Laboratory, Agriculture University of Tirana, Albania, 35 birds (Circaetus gallicus, Gyps fulvus, Gypaetus barbatus) were tested for exposure to toxins. The results indicated elevated blood lead levels in 65.7% of sampled raptors, while in 17.1% there was evidence of exposure to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac, based on visceral gout and the presence of cases with high serum uric acid concentration. Other injuries were found in 17.1% of raptors, with the most frequent being physical damage, traumatic injuries, or fractures caused by farmers, shooting, electric burn injuries from electrocution, injuries from collisions, etc. The results suggest that lead poisoning in raptors could be one of the main reasons for the observed declines in vulture populations in Albania. Furthermore, the apparent evidence for exposure to NSAIDs is concerning and requires further investigation.

Vultures are vital scavengers that maintain ecological balance by feeding on carcasses. Among the nine vulture species in India, four are categorised as 'Critically Endangered', one as 'Endangered', three as 'Near Threatened', and one as 'Least Concern' as per the IUCN Red List. The vultures have experienced a global decline, while in India, majorly due to the use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). A review of all available literature on vultures from 1838 to December 2022 and extracting of all sight records from eBird to understand their status, occurrence, and distribution for the Indian state of Karnataka. The study reveals a total of seven vulture species recorded from the state, of them, one was misidentified, two are vagrants, and the other four species, namely Egyptian Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, and Red-headed Vulture, are residents. The resident vulture population in the state is experiencing a consistent decrease and has been confined in recent years to in and around Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves, while Egyptian Vulture is mostly observed in human-inhabited areas. In contrast to the gradual recovery of the Gyps vulture population across the country, the population in the Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary remains relatively low or decreasing. Periodic systematic population assessments and monitoring of nest sites, evaluating breeding patterns, and ensuring the availability of undisturbed carcasses for vultures to feed on are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this project is to identify for the first time the migration routes and wintering sites of Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus breeding in central Asia. Four juvenile Egyptian Vultures from Uzbekistan were tagged in their nests with GPS transmitters between 26th July 2021 - 6th August 2021. Three of the tags successfully transmitted data and three birds started to migrate from Uzbekistan between 5-15th September 2021. Each bird took a different route with two migrating via Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and ultimately wintering in India (Rajasthan and Haryana). The third bird took a longer journey with several stops through Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and finally arriving in Yemen in late November 2021. All individuals remained in their wintering countries during the first spring, but by the time the birds were one year old only one individual made a return migration from India to the Tian Shan mountains on the border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the summer of 2022. During the migration, we identified (using satellite photos and ground visits by local collaborators) frequent use of refuse dumps and slaughter sites by the Egyptian Vultures in each country. Notably, Balkan and Central Asian Egyptian Vultures are connected via their overlapping wintering locations in the Middle East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 227,000 km of railways in the United States, wildlife-train collisions are more common than generally recognized and could be an important carrion source for Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura). We conducted a five-year study (2018-2022) in Dutchess and Putnam Counties, New York, USA to 1) estimate the biomass of mammal carrion available to vultures along 32.6 km of commuter railway, and 2) determine if vultures utilize train-killed wildlife as a food resource. During our study we recorded 154 individual mammals of 12 species killed by commuter trains. The number of train-killed mammals averaged 30.8/yr (SD ±13.1 mammals/yr), but varied widely, ranging from 13 to 45 individuals/yr. White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) contributed the most to this total, followed by Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and Coyote (Canis latrans). We estimated that 6722.0 kg of mammal carrion resulted from train-wildlife collisions during our five-year study, and of this total, 4778.3 kg were potentially available for consumption by vultures. We estimated that 29.3 kg of mammal carrion per km of railway was available for consumption by vultures each year. During our five-year study, we found evidence that vultures fed on >90% of the train-killed mammal carcasses. Our results suggest the commuter railway is attractive to foraging vultures because 1) carrion occurs at high concentrations relative to the adjacent "natural habitat", 2) the massive traumatic injuries associated with train-wildlife collisions facilitate utilization of carrion, and 3) disturbance is minimal owing to the infrequent passage of trains (ca. 1 train/hr). Given that train-killed birds, frogs, snakes, and turtles were not included in our analysis, the total biomass of carrion available to foraging vultures along the commuter railway may be considerably greater than we estimated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demography of, and factors that influence these metrics, are largely unknown for most vultures in the Americas. Survivorship of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) may be influenced by landscape heterogeneity and human disturbance. We quantified the effects of landscape composition (Shannon's diversity index) and configuration (contagion, edge density, and largest patch index), and human disturbance (road density) on the annual and seasonal survival probabilities of the three North American breeding populations (western, central, and eastern) of Turkey Vultures that spend the nonbreeding season in the southeastern portion of the Nearctic and the northern Neotropics during a 17-year period. We used Cox's proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates to estimate spatial and temporal changes in survival rates of adult Turkey Vultures. Road density, but not landscape composition or configuration, influenced survival rates in space and time. Overall annual survival averaged 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.98). Mortality risk was low in western and central populations (hazard ratio < 1) but was 3.7 times greater for vultures in the eastern population. Survival during the breeding (0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98) and outbound migration (1.0, 95% CI: 1-1) seasons was significantly higher than the other seasons. Average survival tended to be higher for nonbreeding (0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.88) compared to return migration (0.69, 95% CI: 0.56-0.81) seasons. The risk of mortality for all vulture populations increased with road density, and this was greater during the nonbreeding and return migration seasons. The spatial variation in road density across the Americas may generate a network of ecological traps for Turkey Vultures induced to stop in areas of greater road-kill abundance. Road-killed animals acting as an attractant for vultures can increase the occurrence of vulture-vehicle collisions and potentially aggravate human-wildlife conflicts. Further analyses are needed to address survivorship and mortality factors for young birds. Our results may help the implementation of specific mitigation efforts to reduce human-vulture conflicts and vulture mortality. For instance, concentrating efforts to remove road-killed animals in areas where road density is highest can likely reduce vulture-vehicle collisions and associated mortalities of these birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study focuses on New World Vultures, a group of seven scavenger bird species with ecological significance. Despite their importance, there is limited knowledge about their evolutionary history and conservation needs. Recent advances in understanding their evolutionary relationships have paved the way for addressing these gaps using phylogenetic methods. By analyzing the species' ancestral distribution in the Americas, we employed two techniques to identify historical dispersion patterns. This study pinpointed South America as their original area, with subsequent recolonization of North America by certain species. To guide conservation efforts, we used two indices. The Evolutionary Distinctiveness (ED) index measured species' uniqueness according to their phylogeny, while the Global Endangerment (GE) index mapped phylogenetic diversity. The findings highlighted the Black Vulture, California Condor and Andean Condor as priority species based on their uniqueness and evolutionary significance. Additionally, we identified crucial regions for conservation, including the lowlands of the Amazon River basin, the Orinoco basin and various areas along the Guiana Shield's tributaries. This research underscores the importance of combining evolutionary and ecological insights and tools to fill knowledge gaps about species of concern. By doing so, we can formulate effective strategies to protect these species in the face of ongoing biodiversity loss. The New World Vultures (Cathartidae) include seven species of obligate scavengers that, despite their ecological relevance, present critical information gaps around their evolutionary history and conservation. Insights into their phylogenetic relationships in recent years has enabled the addressing of such information gaps through approaches based on phylogeny. We reconstructed the ancestral area in America of the current species using two regionalization schemes and methods: Biogeography with Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis (BioGeoBears) and Bayesian Binary Model–Monte Carlo Markov Chains (BBM–MCMC). Then, we identified the priority species and areas for conservation by means of the Evolutionary Distinctiveness index (ED), as a proxy of the uniqueness of species according to phylogeny, and the Global Endangerment index (GE), mapping phylogenetic diversity. We found that the ancestral area of New World Vultures in America corresponds to South America, with dispersal processes that led to a recolonization of North America by Coragyps atratus, Gymnogyps californianus and Cathartes aura. We identified the Black Vulture, G. californianus and Vultur gryphus as priority species based on ED and "Evolutionary Distinct Globally Endangered" (EDGE) indexes, and the lowlands of Amazon River basin and the Orinoco basin and some tributaries areas of the Guiana Shield were identified as the priority areas when mapping the phylogenetic diversity. This study highlights the importance of filling knowledge gaps of species of conservation concern through the integration of evolutionary and ecological information and tools and, thus, developing adequate strategies to enhance the preservation of these species in the face of the current loss of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]