We have recently received the above photos from our colleague Tulsi Subedi, who is researching bearded vultures in the Himalayas. Tulsi had seen this brutal picture posted in social media last December. The photo was taken in Bajura district, in far-western remote mountainous area of Nepal.
Although the cause of death was not mentioned, Tulsi believes that the bird was killed intentionally. In some parts of Nepal vultures are regarded as an omen of bad luck, while in others people use the body parts as a traditional medicine. Initial results of his research show that there is a strong relationship between poisoning and the use of body parts, and the population decline of Bearded Vulture. He estimates that are less than 500 individuals left in The Nepalese Himalayas.
