The number of vultures in Pokhara and its surrounding areas has surged by 24.6%, according to the latest census of the critically endangered species conducted by Pokhara Birds Society.
The census conducted on the occasion of International Vulture Awareness Day, marked every year on the first Saturday of September, revealed the number of the birds to have climbed to 471 from 378 in 2023, said Manshanta Ghimire, President of Pokhara Birds Society.
The Society simultaneously counted the birds at eight vulture habitats and landfill sites in Kaski and Tanahun districts.
While the census report shows a modest increase in the number of nature's scavengers in Tanahun, the number of golden vulture, small grey vulture and dongor vulture rose marginally, said Ghimire, lamenting over the decline in the number of Himalayan vultures.
The number of the white-rumped vulture was highest in the census.
Of the 23 vulture species across the world, eight are found in Nepal.
But, habitat loss due to encroachment and deforestation, industrial pollution and depletion of water bodies among other reasons have pushed vultures on the verge of extinction.
The gradual rise in the number of vultures has brought joy to ornithologists, said Ghimire.
The society has been conducting a vulture census since 2017.
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