Gyps himalayensis

Himalayan griffon

Taxonomy
Phylum Chordates (Chordata)
Class Birds (Aves)
Order  (Falconiformes)
Family  (Accipitridae)
Genus  (Gyps)
Species Authority Hume, 1869
Information
Summary Status: vulnerable (Category IV), rare and little studied. It inhabits the Himalaya, the Tian Shan and the Pamir-Alay mountains. In Kazakstan this huge scavenger is found in the southeast mountain ranges. In 1989, colonies of this bird were found in the Zailisky Alatau mountains at an altitude of 3,000 m and along the Chilik River, where a colony of 5 nests was observed. Contributing factors to the great decline in this birds population have not been studied, but most likely these are loss of forage areas and deaths due to poisoned baits and poaching. 5 birds are currently kept in the Almaty Zoo, but no successful reproduction has been observed. To preserve this species it is necessary to determine and protect nesting areas and intensify artificial breeding efforts.

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