As the vultures of Nepal are still declining, awareness of the problem and conservation efforts are increasing. The community of Pokhara, with financial help from Parahawking flights, Himalayan Raptor Rescue, other donations and funding from local and international organizations, has created a vulture safe zone and vulture restaurant just outside of the city in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

A few of us from Himalayan Raptor Rescue had a chance to go see the site, and see the progress they have made with ours and other generous donations and grants. Progress was evident as soon as we got down into the river valley and we saw the many white-backed, Himalayan and red-headed vultures roosting in the trees and flying over-head. One of the cows had died that morning, so the vultures in the area were all happily well-fed.

There has been progress on construction of the site as well. The cow-shed is up next to the grazing area, and a nice observation building is sitting on a hill and filled with information on the vulture species found here. The observation building has a view of the vulture feeding area, the river, and the Annapurna mountain range. It’s a beautiful view, and a positive view for the future of Nepal’s vulture population.

There are still some challenges to overcome and improvements to be made: they currently do not have a cart to transport the carcasses to the vulture feeding area; there are not enough large trees for vulture roosts; they don’t have a way to get drinking water to the cows, and they would like to have viewing telescopes at the observation building. Himalayan Raptor Rescue will continue working with the Pokhara community’s vulture restaurant to help solve these issues.

With the continuation of vulture restaurants and the increasing of education efforts, the vultures of Pokhara valley and all of Nepal will be ensured a future.