Vulture updates - March 2018 - Around the World of Vultures & VSG activities

This biannual newsletter of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group features updates on the CMS Multi-Species Action plan (MsAP), but again more alarming poisoning incidents from around the world underline the priority of this threat within the MsAP and globally; this time, these headlines are also from South America for Andean condors as well as from Africa and elsewhere. More positive are updates including new tracking projects of Egyptian vultures in Arabia, Eurasian Griffons in Europe, and Nepalese wild and for the first time released white-rumped vultures in South Asia. Read on for more updates from around the globe... Perhaps the most significant news is that the CMS Vulture MsAP (Old World vultures action plan) was endorsed and adopted at the CMS COP12 in Manila, Philippines in October 2017. The action plan document (available here) contains a lot of updated information, but most significantly, provides an agreed framework for priority actions to conserve the 15 Old World vulture species in Africa-Eurasia. We take this opportunity to thank all VSG members and contributors who participated in the drafting of this important document. However, the adoption of the plan is just the beginning, and the most critical step, its implementation, is the new challenge that requires more capacity and substantial funding. The VSG will continue working with partners, members, and the range governments to secure the resources and support crucially needed.