𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

RSPN in collaboration with the Royal Society for Protection of Birds(RSPB) based in United Kingdom hosted two days of workshop on ‘Bridging Science and Technology for Conservation and Avian Health’. The workshop was attended by the officials from the Department of Livestock(DoL) and the Department of Forest and Park Services(DoFPS). The workshop was conducted to achieve the following objectives for the biodiversity conservation;

Enhance collaborative, cross-sector efforts to address health threats to/from wildlife by recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Strengthen the application of science and technology to bridge conservation gaps, improve monitoring systems, and support evidence-based decision-making for conservation.

Promote avian health by advancing research, innovation, and practical conservation interventions that safeguard bird species and their habitats.

The workshop was carried out with the tailored content of both theoretical and practical sessions. Considering the avian health, the case studies and examples of bird species mainly the impact of vulture species by the use of the NSAIDs were used. Bhutan is home to six vulture species; White-rumped, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and Himalayan Griffon. However, an alarming decline of vulture species in South Asia occurred in the 1990s. In Bhutan, local extinctions have already been observed. The last record of White-rumped Vulture and Red-headed Vulture in Bhutan remains only in 1990s, and no recent records were made except for a few captively bred White-rumped Vulture recorded recently in Bhutan.

As a way forward, RSPN, in collaboration with DoFPS will explore supporting the conservation of vulture species in Bhutan by initiating distribution studies and documenting the threats. Similarly. RSPN will also collaborate with DoL in identifying the prevalence of NSAIDs.