report on vulture education materials sponsored by ......the international vulture awareness day was...
TRANSCRIPT
The International Vulture Awareness Day was celebrated around the world on 1 September to highlight vulture conservation and awareness. The Birds of Prey Programme in South Africa and Hawk Conservancy Trust in England organized it starting in 2010.
Zoo Outreach Organization conducted a vulture conservation education programme in India in 1990 and again for South Asia from 2008 to present. We were happy that there is an international programme and we jumped on board.
ZOO Educator Network (ZEN) is a member organisation of the event to promote this international day among zoos, forest personnel, Ngo’s, educational institutions etc. by creating awareness on vulture conservation.
International Vulture Awareness Day IVAD was celebrated in South Asia by a number of zoos and breeding centres which feature vultures. Zoo Outreach Organisation contacted all the vulture holding institutions informing them of International Vulture Awareness Day, an event we wrote about in the August issue, and sending the entire “kit” from the IVAD founders and referring them to the internet site. ZOO also created a South Asia appropriate education packet for institutions holding these beleaguered birds to use in conducting programmes for visitors and/or students.
There were twenty four invited institutions in the region that took advantage of the offer of free packets and conducted programmes which are featured in the following pages of this issue. Packets were the usual model of ZOO with booklet, flash cards, placard, stickers, etc. The following pages will reflect the sincerity and enthusiasm these vulture centres took Vulture Day. Best of all we printed many additional packets which was offered to Indian zoos to use to run a vulture education session during India’s Wildlife Week, 1-7 October 2012 and 22 persons celebrated the week.
We printed 2000 copies of vulture education kits and these materials were sponsored by Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, USA. Of which 975packets were distributed during International Vulture Awareness Day and another 1010 packets were distributed during Wildlife Week.
Report on Vulture Education Materials sponsored by Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, USA
List of institutions celebrated International Vulture Awareness Day with Vulture Education Materials
S.No Name & address of the person No. of Packets ordered
1 Mr. Satyanarayan Mishra, Curator, Indira Gandhi Park Zoo, Rourkela, Orissa 50
2 Mr. K. L. N. Murthy, Biologist, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, AP
50
3 Mr. Santhosh Bhattarai, Research Student, University of Kota, Rajasthan 50
4 Mr. Amitabh Agnihotri, Director, National Zoological Park, New Delhi 50
5 Mr. Dau Lal Bohara, Wildlife Researcher, Bikaner, Rajasthan 50
6 Mr. R. Marimuthu, Education Officer Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, TN
75
7 Ms. Jessie Jeyakaran, Ramapuram, Chennai, TN 50
8 Mr. Dilip Chakrvarthy, Project Officer, Centre for Environmental Education , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
50
9 Mr. Ajit Kumar Bhowmik, Director, Sepahijala Zoo, Tripura. 50
10 Dr. Kumaraguru, Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Trichy, TN 50
11 Mr. Joel Revingston, Head Master, Samariah St. Johns H.S.S. Tisaiyanvilai. TN 50
12 Dr. Amita Kanaujia, Assoc. Professor, University of Lucknow, UP 50
13 Mr. Kishor Maruti Malekar, Yuvak Mitra Mandal, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 50
14 Dr. B. Ramakrishnan, Asst. Professor, Govt. Arts College, Ooty, TN 50
15 Dr. Sethuramalingam, Scientist C, Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhopal, MP
50
16 Mr. B. P. Ravi, Exe. Director, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore, Karnataka
50
17 Mr. V. J. Rana, Director, Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, Gujarat 50
18 Mr. B. Rathinasabapathy, Project Coordinator, Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park, Anaikatti, Coimbatore, TN
50
19 Ms. N. Gomathi, Interpretation Executive, Adayar Eco Park, Chennai, TN 50
Other South Asian Countries which received soft copies of the materials:1. Arunima Higher Sec. School, Nepal2. Central Zoo, Kathmandu, Nepal3. Dhaka Zoo, Bangladesh4. Chittagong Zoo, Bangladesh5. Bangladesh Forest Department6. Lahore Zoo, Pakistan
S.No Name & address of the person No. of Packets ordered
1 Mrs. Jessie Jeyakaran, Ramapuram, Chennai,TN 20
2 Mr. S. Sivakumar, Programme Officer, Sundaravan, Ahmedabad Gujarat 50
3 Dr. C.M. Seth, Chairperson, WWF-India, Jammu & Kashmir 50
4 Ms. Payal Narain, Senior Manager - WWF India, New Delhi 50
5 Ms. Sangita Saxena, State Director, WWF-India, Bhopal, MP 50
6 Mr. Bablu Dey, Exe. Dir., Green Hearth Nature ClubKokrajhar, Assam
50
7 Mr. Jayakrishnan, Associate Manager, Nirman,Varanasi, UP 50
8 Mr. Anil M. Anjankar, Director, Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udayan & Zoo, Mumbai, Maharashtra
50
9 Mr. Ojas Mali, Secretary, NEST, Nashik, Maharashtra 25
10 Mr. Anil Nali, Superviser, Modern Education Societys Secondary School, Old Cidco, Nashik, Maharashtra
50
11 Dr. Goutam Sharma, Young Scientist, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
50
12 Mr. A.K. Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer, WWF-India, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
20
13 Mr. Amitabh Agnihotri, Director, National Zoological ParkNew Delhi
50
14 Dr. Sitaram Taigor, Secretary General, Chambal Conservation Initiative, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
50
15 Mr. Pratap Singh Choondawat, DCF(WL), Chittorgarh, Rajasthan 50
16 Dr. Puja Vijay Sukhija, Exe. Dir. OASIS, Mumbai, Maharashtra 50
17 Mr. P. Ramesh, Founder, Nethaji Snake Trust, Madurai, TN 20
18 Dr. Amita Kanaujia, Assoc. Prof., University of Lucknow, UP 50
19 Mr. Bhim Singh Rawat, Proj. Off. PEACE Institute, New Delhi 50
20 Ms. Arpita Das, Asst. Teacher, GHS, Pandu, Guwahati, Assam 50
21 Dr. Anil Kumar Chhangani, Asso. Prof. Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
50
22 Mr. S. Marimuthu, Student, St. John’ s College, Tirunelveli, TN 50
List of Institutions celebrated Wildlife Week 2012 with Vulture Education materials
Short reports of some organizations utilizing the Vulture education materials sponsored byConservation Breeding Specialist Group CBSG during International Vulture Awareness Day & India’s 58 Wildlife Week Celebrations
Indira Gandhi Park Zoo, Rourkela, Odhisha
Zoo education programme is one of the programmes undertaken by Horticulture Department, Rourkela steel plant, Rourkela. School students from different schools have been invited to the Indira Gandhi Park Zoo to spread the awareness among them towards the issues related to biodiversity conservation and threats. The international vulture awareness day was celebrated by the Horticulture department on 1st September, 2012 at Indira Gandhi Park Zoo, SAIL, Rourkela steel Plant, Rourkela.
To mark the occasion, students of Gyanajyoti Public School, Sector – 19, Rourkela were participated. Thirty five students belonging to class VII and VIII were participated along with two teachers in the celebration. The celebration of International vulture Day started at 10:45 am on 1st September, 2012 at Indira Gandhi Park Zoo. Sri H. Mishra, Assistant General Manager welcomed the gathering with his inspiring speech. He also emphasized the role of zoo education on conservation of the species.
The session was followed by the inaugural speech of Dr. A. Biswas, Sr. Veterinary Officer and in-Charge (ZDP). He addressed about the threats to the vulture population with reference to the veterinary use of Diclofenac sodium as pain killer. He also spoke about the effect of the medicine on physiology of vultures. Mr. S. Mishra, Curator, Indira Gandhi Park Zoo and Deer Park, carried forward the programme with an interactive way. He spoke about the diversity of the vulture species of world, India and Odisha. He also highlighted the other causes of threat to the vulture population like habitat destruction and scarcity of the food availability. Students were enlightened about conservation programmes carried out by Government and NGO’s. Students also knew about Conservation Breeding Programmes in Indian Zoos and Rescue centers.
The programme went on with the education materials supplied by the ZOO Outreach Organisation specifically on International Vulture Awareness Day Celebration. Students read the short poems regarding each Indian vulture species. There was a short play
with the vulture information cards. One volunteer had shown the card and the others need to tell the name of the vulture without seeing the backside text of the card. They also tied the ‘rakhi’ in their friends hand especially designed for the International Vulture Awareness Day. The students extended their hands towards the conservation of the vulture with the flash card provided in the education matter kit. Besides, a poem, written in Odia (regional language of Odisha) on vultures was read by the students. The celebration of International Vulture Awareness Day came to an end with the Vote of Thanks by Sri V.K. Garg, Assistant Manager, Horticulture Department, SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant.
The students had an exposure visit in the zoo and toy train ride in a cheerful mood with a successful completion of the celebration of the International Vulture Awareness Day – 2012. Submitted by Satyanarayan Mishra, Curator, Indira Gandhi Park Zoo, Rourkela. Email: [email protected]
Students briefed about vultures and its conservation by the resource persons
The wards with placard and vulture booklet
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, AP
As part of the educational activities being conducted at the zoo, the “International Vulture Awareness Day” was celebrated on September 1st 2012. The zoo has Scavenger / Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus housed in the Birds of Prey enclosure. About 40 students from different schools were invited to participate in the awareness programme. It started off with an interactive session at the vulture enclosure. The resource persons briefed the students about some fascinating facts about the vultures and also encouraged the students to watch their behavior in captivity. The Deputy Conservator of Forests and Zoo Curator Sri G.Ramalingam was the chief guest of the programme. He also interacted with the students and shared useful information at the vulture enclosure. Later, they took out a rally from vulture enclosure to the zoo education centre by tying the wrist bands and displaying the placards in the educational kits provided by Zoo Outreach Organization.
The students watched a thought-provoking documentary on Vulture Conservation in India. Later, power point presentation emphasizing different species of vultures, their distribution, ecological importance and conservation status was given in an attempt to imbibe useful information to the students about these endangered creatures in an interactive manner. Later activity to identify and colour the different species of vultures in India was carried out using the flash cards provided in the educational kits. Students took an active role in the interactive sessions by shooting various queries on vultures to the resource persons. Competitions like quiz and elocution were conducted in the to test what they have learnt from
the awareness programme. The response from the participants was overwhelming and all of them performed very well in the competitions. The event ended with prize distribution and closing speech by the zoo curator. Participation certificates were also distributed to all the students involved. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the programme and successfully integrated facts about vultures through their performances in various activities and competitions conducted by the zoo authorities. Thus,
the entire programme has been entertaining as well as informative.
Acknowledgement: We remain thankful to Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Wildlife Information Liaison Development and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group for providing valuable resource materials in the form of educational kits. Submitted by: K.L.N Murthy, Biologist, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam. Email: [email protected]
Participants were briefed about vultures in front of zoo’s vulture enclosure
Vulture conservation rally conducted at the zoo by carrying placard
University of Kota, Rajasthan, Workshop on Vultures
Opening Session: Workshop on International Vulture Awareness Day was organized by Department of Wildlife Science, University of Kota, Rajasthan in collaboration with Department of Science and Technology (DST), Regional Office, Kota, Rajasthan and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This two day workshop was organized to enhance the knowledge about vultures among all related stake holders like students, faculty members, members of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), delegates from other institutions, forest and wildlife officers.
The Chief Guest of the workshop was Honorable Vice-chancellor, Prof. Madhusudan Sharma, University of Kota, Rajasthan, Guest of honor was Mr. Anurag Bhardwaj, CCF, Wildlife Division, Kota, Rajasthan. Mr. G.L. Garg, Director, DST. The convener of the workshop was Mrs. Dr. Fatima Sultana, Course-coordinator, Department of Wildlife Science.
The inaugural session started with enlightening of lamp by the Chief Guest and Guest of Honor. Mr. G. L. Garg, Director, DST, Kota welcomed the Chief Guest, Guest of Honor and all other delegates from different institution, students and NGOs.
Dr. Krishnendra Nama gave an introductory presentation about the Biodiversity of Kota. In his presentation, Dr. Nama presented the threats and opportunities of biodiversity of this region. He also emphasized the role of communities, Forest department and all related stakeholders to conserve the biodiversity in and around Kota.
Vulture kits provided by Zoo Outreach Organization were displayed jointly by the Chief Guest, guest of honor, guests, convener of the workshop and organizing secretary.
Guest of Honor Mr. Anurag Bhardwaj in his speech promised to establish a vulture rescue centre in Kota Zoo.
The Chief Guest Honorable Vice-chancellor Prof. Madhusudan Sharma said, “Wildlife Department is the most vibrant and dynamic dept. in the
University. He also informed that State Government is ready to establish Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) under this University and proposal has been sent to Central Government for approval. He in his speech also added conservation of native species is more beneficial than introduction of any kind of species”.
The wildlife students who devoted themselves for wildlife conservation and management in one way or other were awarded with prizes by Honorable Vice chancellor.
Technical Session: This session started with the presentation of Dr. Anil Kumar Chhangani, Associate Professor, MGS University, Bikaner. Dr, Chhangani in his presentation “Present vulture’s
population dynamics in Rajasthan” informed the current vulture population
Wildlife students with vulture kits
Chief Guest and other dignitaries at the vulture workshop
Participants colouring the vulture flash cards
in Rajasthan. He not only spoke about vultures but also about cattle rearing trend, culture associated with vultures and their rescue techniques and methods. Dr. Chhangani during his presentation said, “The vulture breeding populations were observed in an area with safe nesting and roosting trees and cliffs, especially in and around the protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, temples, sacred groves, archeological monuments, forts, old buildings, etc. A total of 6489 vultures of seven different species were observed in 24 districts in different parts of Rajasthan. During this study we rescued over 100 vultures including Long-billed and White-backed vultures in collaboration with the State Forest and Veterinary Departments, NGO’s and volunteers from different parts of Rajasthan. These rescued vultures were kept in Zoos of the respective area”.
Dr. Chhangani thanked Mrs. Dr. Fatima Sultana, convener of the workshop and all students of Department of Wildlife Science for organizing this workshop and also thanked to DST, Kota and Zoo Outreach Organization for sponsoring this event.
Next technical presentation was by Dr. Pratap Singh Kataria, Associate Professor, Government Dungar College, Bikaner. Dr. Kataria presented “Vultures of Thar Desert”. Dr. Kataria gave clue to identify the species and spoke about management and threats of carcass dumping sites to vultures. He also informed rescue techniques and care operations before releasing the rescued vultures in their natural
habitat.
After, technical session students were given to complete their tasks as per the vulture kit. Students colored the vulture flash cards to their original color and made use of the knowledge from the contents mentioned in the Kit.
At the end of session, Mrs. Dr. Fatima Sultana addressed the gathering about the importance and role of scavenging vultures for ecosystem balance and also expressed her vote of thanks to all invitees from different institutions whose august presence lead to completion of the workshop.
Field Visit to Vulture site (Geparnath): All wildlife students of Department of wildlife Science, faculty members, and members from different NGOs with both experts of technical session reached Geparnath area at 6:00 hrs on 02 Sep’ 12 to observe the sun basking of vultures.
Dr. Chhangani during field visit informed the nesting pattern and nest type of vulture i.e. saucer type nest. He during his orientation with students said Geparnath area is safest breeding site for Long billed vultures in Asia where he had passed his time in vulture study for more than 12 years. He also informed vultures use locally available sticks for making their nests and their nest size diameter is 2-3 feet. And a single nest consists of 2000-4000 sticks.
Dr. Kataria informed it is hard to differentiate between juvenile of white backed vultures and adult long billed vultures. He also added vultures eat 1-2kg of flesh as routine diet but can store same amount of food.
Both the experts taught students about the counting techniques of vultures, rescue methods and thrust areas of the study to motivate students to carry out their studies in vultures. Submitted by: Fatima Sultana, University of Kota, Rajasthan. Email: [email protected]
Dr. Anil Chhangani interacting with students during field trip to vulture site
Vultures at Geparnath, one of the safest breeding site
National Zoological Park, New Delhi
International Vulture Awareness Day was celebrated in National Zoological Park on 1 September 2012. A group of 42 students from the Progress Public School, New Delhi attended. The programme was started 9:00 am. Before the programme, all the students were visited the zoo and then came to the Education Center. Introduction of International Vulture Awareness Day given by Mr. Riaz Ahmad Khan (Curator Education). Followed to this, Mr. Amitabh Agnihotri, Director, introduced the event and talked about vultures and its conservation with the students.Then a presentation related to vultures (introductory area of vulture, causes of extinct ,relation with human community etc) gave by Mr. Saurabh Vashisth, Education Assistant. A movie on vultures also shown to the students. Then vulture shock kits distributed to the students the following activities were played: taking oath to save vultures / Rakhi tying /poem competition and vulture cards colored by the students.
The event was covered by media and the children enjoyed all the activities and the teachers appreciated the efforts saying that the programme was not only interesting but also information given helped orienting the children to the right directions.
We would like to thank Zoo Outreach Organization and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group for providing such informative packages that are highly applauded by the masses and are proving to be a boon for the wildlife conservation.
Poem written by a student:Vulture Vulture are you our friendby your eco-friendly and good natureyour are not bad, useful for usClean our jungles by eating dead creatureOh! my friend, your are in DangerWith no more junglesNeed to save youif we have to save nature.Submitted by: Mr. Riaz Ahmad Khan, Curator Education & Mr. Saurabh Vashisth, Education Assistant. Email: [email protected]
Tying vulture rakhi and taking oath to save vultures
The kids coloured the vulture cards and it displayed in zoo bulletin board
The Zoo team with the students and teachers
Savitri Sikha Nikaten & Save Vulture Community, Bikaner, Rajasthan
On 1 September 2012 organized one day Advocacy programme for 11-12 std biology students at Savitri Sikha Nikaten, Bikaner, Rajasthan. This event was organized with the collaboration from Save Vulture Community and Zoo Outreach Organisation. A total of 70 students attended. The school principal and local drug distributors also attended. The students were told about the Jorbeer area which is a prominent city of Thar Desert, having all the traits of being known as ‘The capital of Desert’. The Jorbeer region spread over an area of 20-25 km. The city has a vulture link and it’s nearby desert villages are well known for avian fauna mostly for Gyps vulture species in winter and other birds for throughout the year. Besides residence vultures, many migratory vultures start arriving here during September and return back to their original place by February and March. In the last 7 years vulture population has been increasing in Jorbeer dead animal dumping site.
The current vulture population of this area is 3500 vultures. All 5 species of
vultures (Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Red Headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), Indian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis) and Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) here. After this the students were introduced ZOO’s vulture kits and explained them in detail. They tied rakhi, went through
the booklet and flash cards. They carried a placard and took a oath to save vuture species in their area. Submitted by: Mr. Dau Lal Bohara, Bikaner, Rajashthan. Email: [email protected]
Savitri Sikha Nikaten students with vulture kits
Sepahijala Zoological Park, TripuraDuring IVAD 2012, we conducted a discussion session on need for vulture conservation at Bishalgarh H.S.School where at least 500 students were participated along with 24 teachers. Sri Sankar Saha, teacher of the School delivered a lecture highlighting need for vulture conservation.
I gave a power point presentation along with delivering lecture on the need of conducting more awareness programme on vulture conservation whose numbers are declining rapidly. Thereafter a quiz competition on wildlife specially on conservation of vulture was organized and four schools participated from (1) Bishalgarh H.S.School (2) Vivekananda Sishunekatan, Bishalgarh (3) Baidhyardighi H.S School and Charilam H.S School.
At the end the materials received from the Zoo Outreach Organization was used and distributed among students and teachers.
Four schools of Bishalgarh participating in vulture quiz competition
The organiser, school students and teachers with ZOO’s vulture kits
Submitted by Ajit Kumar Bhowmik, Director, Sepahijala Zoological Park, Tripura. Email: [email protected]
Arunima Higher Sec. School, Kathmandu, Nepal
September 1st turned out to be a special day at Arunima Higher Sec. School, Nepal. As 1st September is celebrated as the International Vulture Conservation Day, with respect to this schedule, the Friends of Zoo members of Arunima Higher Secondary School decided to dedicate a week for conducting awareness on school students regarding Vulture. Respective FOZ members participated in an Essay writing competition on the topic "Importance of Vulture for Ecology" on Friday, 31st August. Similar, executive members of FOZ club also involved themselves in preparing a wall magazine with the intention to bring positive change attitude of students regarding vulture. This magazine was based on the information gathered from various sources By FOZ members. These programs contributed in increasing the sincerity of students regarding the conservation of rare animals like vulture. It was found that students shared their views about vulture through essays and wall magazine. Similarly these programs provided students an opportunity to get attached to such a concept apart from their curriculum. Likewise, we, the executive members of FOZ club enhanced our ability to work in team and took a step ahead in vulture conservation. Submitted byArunima Higher Secondary SchoolKathmandu, Nepal
Central Zoo, NepalCentral Zoo celebrated the Vulture Awareness day on 1st September, 2012 to create awareness about vanishing vultures. On the occasion various programs were organized among zoo visitors and Friends of Zoo (FOZ) members. More than 200 FOZ members from different schools participated in the program, which
comprises of presentation along with the talk program on Vultures. FOZ members took out a rally around the Zoo holding display cards and chanting slogans for vulture conservation. Likewise coloring and painting were done by FOZ members. To create awareness about vultures talk program was also delivered among visitors in front of the vulture enclosure.
Similarly the talk program was organized by Little Angels FOZ eco club in the school where students delivered a presentation to their fellow students about the vulture awareness and the need to conserve it. Submitted by: Rachna Shah, Conservation Education Officer, NTNC-Central Zoo, Nepal. Email: [email protected]
Vulture poster made by the students
Students marching in the zoo
Holding vulture posters and chanting slogans for vulture conservation
VOC Park Mini Zoo, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Zoo Outreach Organisation ZOO celebrated International Vulture Awareness Day on 1 September 2012 at VOC Park Mini Zoo, Coimbatore. Twenty-one students aged between 11-14 of Anupparplayam Corporation High School took part in the programme with their teacher Mr. T. Ambrose. Dr. Asokan, Director of the zoo welcomed them and briefed about the zoo. Following to this an education awareness programme on vultures conducted by R. Marimuthu, Education Officer, ZOO.
They were given detailed information about vanishing vultures and the need to protect them. He started with the meaning of biodiversity, each species unique role in ecosystem in which vultures are part of it. Vultures of the world-new and old world vultures were also explained. A total of 23 old world vultures are found in Africa, Asia and Europe and out of which 9 species are found in India. They are: 1. White backed vultures (Gyps bengalensis), 2. Slender billed vultures (Gyps tenuirostris), 3. Long billed vultures (Gyps indicus), 4. Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus), 5. Red headed vultures (Sarcogyps calvus), 6. Indian Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), 7. Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayenisis), 8. Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) & 9. Bearded or Lammergeier vultures (Gypaetus barbatus). Colour photographs of these species provided to the students to understand differences in species.
Then general information such as their morphology, distribution and habitat, general behaviour, social behaviour, vocalizations, diet and feeding behaviour, reproduction, longevity, causes of mortality and its conservation status were told. Vultures in human culture explained by giving out few examples. The Egyptians considered the vulture to be an excellent mother. In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Jatayu and his brother Sampaati who had the form of vultures and helped Rama to find out Sita kidnapped by Ravana. In the Tibetan and Parsi practice of sky burial, vultures and other birds eat human corpses.
Then moved on to the ecological significance of vultures and they are the primary removers of carrion in India, scavenging on animals and thereby helping keep the environment clean. The three Indian vultures, White backed vultures, Slender billed vultures, Long billed Vultures are
Municipal school students with nine species of Indian vulture posters
Going through the information on the vulture booklets
Exploring vulture flash cards to know about vulture kinds and the poem
endangered. In the wild it has been declined drastically over the past decade. The decline of these species in India has been put at 97% by 2005. IUCN Redlist put these three species in Critically Endangered category and that is highest category of endangerment. Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 put this species Schedule I. Vulture decline in India was first documented in 1999. Diclofenac, the veterinary drug introduced in late 80’s was the main
cause of death. Non-Governmental Organisations and Government of India are striving to hard to save these species by setting up vulture breeding and conservation centres in several parts of the country. In Nepal and Pakistan also vulture conservation activities are going on.
Subsequent to this, ZOO’s vulture kits were distributed to all the students. First of all, VULTURE SHOCK booklet
was used. The students were asked to go through page by page and few of them read loudly to other students hear. Then they took the Indian Vulture Venture …Flash Cards. They explored all the nine species of vultures, read the information and the poem. They tied the rakhi each other and pledged to save vultures. They were asked to look at the sticker with International vulture Day logo on it. Next they carried the placard and shouting slogans related to conservation of vultures and move around the zoo grounds. The children told that they learned new informations on vultures, which they never know and they will be supportive for conservation of this species. Zoo Director thanked the students and teacher and also Zoo Outreach Organisation for having the day at the zoo. He also thanked Conservation Breeding Specialist Group for sponsoring vulture education materials. Submitted by: R. Marimuthu, ZOO and Dr. N. Asokan, Director, VOC Park Mini Zoo.Email: [email protected]; [email protected].
With the placard and rakhi ready for a march in the zoo
Students who participated in the event with their teacher and coordinators
Tying rakhi and takes oath to save vultures
C.S.I. St. Thomas Matriculation School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Nearly 40 students from St. Thomas Mat. School, Marian Mat. H.S.S., St. Dominic's Anglo Indian H.S.S. and Montfort Mat. H.S.S.Chennai participated in International Vulture Awareness Day 2012 at Thomas Mat. H.S.S. The free educational packets on VULTURE SHOCK were distributed by Mr. Paul Jeyakaran, Rtd. Deputy Registrar, Madurai, M.K. University.
Mrs. Vimala, Principal welcomed the participants. Jessie Jeyakaran gave a brief Introductory talk. Mr. Ramjee, The Scientist-incharge CEE -Tamilnadu briefed about the vultures with the powerpoint presentation. Mrs. Angaline a well talented teacher of Thomas Mat. School trained the students in such a way to give a cultural programme with the vulture masks. There were 4 sessions on threats, the cause of their disappearance, uses and the difference between the New World and the Old World vultures. All were clearly dealt with. Students were divided into groups for colouring and picking up of the vultures of each State.
The day's programme was published in Chennai Times and Deccan Chronicle. And telecasted in Makkal TV. Decentralization and data collections on vultures were assigned to the students. Thanks to ZOO, WILD and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group for the Vulture Shock materials which has made us to wake up and to know more about the vultures. Everyone including the media appreciated the team spirit of Zoo Outreach Organisation. Submitted by: Mrs. Jessie Jeyakaran. Email: [email protected]
Students with very creative vulture masks during cultural programme
Posing with vulture education kits
Different vulture masks developed for vulture culture programme
Biodiversity Conservation Foundation BCF, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
The dawn of the first Saturday in September every year is recognised as International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD), which will publicize the importance of conservation of vultures & necessary activities to be initiated at specified landscapes. India is home to nine species of vultures, of which four are seen in Tamilnadu. The rapidly declining vulture population is confined only to Sathyamangalam landscape in TamilNadu. Biodiversity conservation Foundation (BCF), a non-profit organisation (NPO) has worked at Sathyamangalam landscape on the monitoring of vulture population and issues such as impact of poisons on vultures and trade in vulture for the past three years. In support of IVAD in Sathyamangalam Forest Division (SFD), a special vulture awareness programme was organized by BCF in a joint venture with Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD) Sathyamangalam forest division on Sep 1st at Sathyamangalam.
BCF has organised an all-day event at SFD at three different venues including Sathyamangalam town and tribal settlements at Kulithuraipatti and Thengumaragada. BCF has included photo displays, talks, documentary, distribution of awareness booklets, tags, painting cards and placards with an aim to create awareness and stress the importance of conservation of vultures and the impact of eco-toxicological factors and anthropogenic interference which has led to the rapid decline of this species. The programme was primarily organised for students and tribal villagers to inform them about the importance of conservation of vultures at their own habitats.
The DFO of SFD, Mr.Satheesh, IFS who made the inaugural speech on the awareness programme at Sathyamangalam town gave an account on the importance of Sathyamangalam landscape in vulture conservation. The reserve forests of Sathyamangalam being at the confluence of Eastern and Western Ghats hold a crucial position in vulture conservation. It forms a critical wildlife zone as it is the sink habitat of Mudumalai and Bandipur Tiger Reserves, which also ensures a steady food-chain to vultures. He also stated the importance of conservation of vulture at Sathyamangalam, the last stronghold of four old world vultures viz, White backed, Long billed, Red-headed and Nephron vulture.
Students looking at the exhibition gallery
Mr. Satheesh DFO giving his inaugural speech
Vulture flash card given to the teachers
Dr.A.Kumaraguru BCF followed a special talk on vulture conservation, who emphasized on the reasons for the rapid decline of vultures and the measures common people has to initiate to conserve vultures in their own landscape. Vultures are of great value as natural scavengers, enabling clean ecosystem devoid of carcass for longer time and halts spread of disease from carcass. High mortality rates of all age groups and abnormally low reproductive success rate was attributed to the extensive use of the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) diclofenac as a veterinary drug. Vultures exposed to the drug through carcasses of livestock that were treated with the drug exhibit signs of illness (neck dropping syndrome) prior to death. The other plausible reasons for the decline are use of pesticides, human disturbance and decline of nesting sites, habitat alteration/ fragmentation, decline of wild ungulates. He also insisted on the cooperation of common people and student’s involvement to bring about a complete ban on diclofenac as veterinary drug and in maintaining a non-toxic environment for the survival of an integrated ecosystem.
Mr.Karupaswamy, IPS, Superintendent of Police (SP), Special Task Force (STF), based at Sathyamangalam, who was overwhelmed by this programme, on behalf of his team extended his support to conserve vultures in this landscape. He also suggested us to conduct frequent awareness programs to educate people of Sathyamangalam Forest Division to conserve these critically endangered species before being extinct from this landscape. Members of BCF, Mr.Senthilkumar, Mr. Shanmugamanathan, Mr. Siva Ellanchezhian educated the students through a documentary on vulture and photo displays the diversity of vultures and the importance to conserve these natural scavengers. More than 600 students from various Government and private schools attended the awareness programme conducted at Sathyamangalam town. Students & teachers appreciated our efforts and expressed their happiness to see pictures/photos of this amazing species, which they can otherwise see
only through television shows. Students have acquired a sense of accountability to protect the ecosystem and avoid eco-toxicological habitats of human. Inspired by these enthusiastic students, BCF extended the awareness program to another two tribal villages at Thengumaragada and Kulithuraipatti. BCF has made tribal villagers to understand the ecological importance of vultures as scavengers and created awareness among them on the impact of diclofenac and measures to avoid its use to conserve vulture and their habitat for future generation.
BCF expresses its sincere thanks to TNFD for giving us permission and necessary cooperation for IVAD
awareness programme at Sathyamangalam Forest Division. BCF expresses a heartfelt gratitude to Mr.Sabapathy who kindled our interest for this awareness programme. BCF also thanks Zoo Outreach Organisation, IVAD, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, WILD for giving us an opportunity to foster our participation in vulture conservation and for providing us the required information booklets. BCF extends its heartfelt thanks to STF for extending their support for vulture conservation. A special thanks goes to the forest officials of SFD, for their immense help during the programme. We also thank students and Staff members of Saru Matriculation Higher secondary School, Sri Ragavedra Higher Secondary School, Govt Higher Secondary School, Thengumaragada Govt. Middle School, tribal villagers and everyone who have been part of this programme. Submitted by: Dr. Kumaraguru, BCF, Trichy, TN. Email: [email protected]
One of the teachers tying rakhi to his student
TNFD official sharing his experiences on vultures
Samariah St. Johns H.S.School, Tisaiyanvilai, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
CULTURE SHOCK + VULTURE CULTURE = VULTURE SHOCK: International Vulture Awareness Day was celebrated in Samariah St.Johns H.S.S. Tisaiyanvilai, Tirunelveli Dist. in an enjoyable and meaningful manner. Our school correspondent Dr. J.I.P.Rajan welcomed the gathering. Headmaster W. Joel Revingston in his introductory talk said that vultures are an ecologically vital group of birds which are declining drastically in their number and may disappear if we are not aware of that danger. Vulture Awareness Days were run by South Africa and England from 2009, and that is expanded now in to an international event. Vultures act as the sanitation department of the natural world. They are scavengers eating dead animals before they have time to rot and make us sick. Governments of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan agreed to take measures to remove toxic ‘Vulture kill ing’ drugs from the environment, including diclofenac (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for veterinary use) Vultures are not vicious or destructive; very clean birds, intelligent birds, very active, beautiful, very large and heaviest flying bird. We should know about it; spread the sweet truths about it to others and let us all pledge this day to save, conserve and adore this powerful and brilliant fliers with a wingspan of over 2 meters.
The chief guest Mr. Susairajan, Principal of Joan of Arc Community College gave a special talk. Church congregant Edwin, a retired teacher explained in ancient religious traditions how vultures are related to spirituality with references from the BIBLE. (culturally revered bird). School governing board member Mr. Devadoss and Revigston were there on the dais.Students had a discussion about the vultures on the following headings: Uses of vultures to human, virtues of vultures, threats to vulture, reasons for the disappearance of the species (vultures are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List- The International Union for Conservation of Nature) and why we save vultures?
Nine Indian vulture species, habitats and descriptions were dramatized by the students. A quiz was conducted for the 10th standard student teams which kept the audience excited. Many facts about vultures came to light for the parents, students, teachers and congregation. Writer of our school Samuel Jebakumar listed the characteristics of the vulture that has
to be inculcated in human beings. Sixty five students participated in the drawing competition, later on the drawings were exhibited in the class room. Teacher Sunder thanked everyone. Students with IVAD placards, rakhi, stickers and slogans -all these kits where supplied by Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, went on a procession. Felicitation and guidance were received from National Green Corps District co-ordinators Dr. Vijayalakshmi, Dr. Selvin Samuel, Dr. Mohanraj Ebenezer, Gajendra Babu and T.F.Joseph. Media reporters Murugesan, and Ponsekar were present. A.
Alzhagia Nambi announced the programme in All India Radio. Others participated in the programme were: Janarthanan, Sudhaker and Bala Sankar. On the bulletin board the facts about vultures and flashcards were displayed. Evaluation sheets were supplied to 20 students at random to assess the programme. Submitted by: Mr. Joel Revingston, Head Master. Email: [email protected]
Students who participated in vulture drawing with their pictures
vulture pictures drawn on the black board and students in drawing competition
Mr. Joel Revingston with students wearing colourful vulture costumes
Lucknow University, Uttar Pradesh
On the occasion of International Vulture Awareness Day on 1 September, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow in collaboration with Zoo Outreach Organisation, Tamil Nadu and U.P. State Biodiversity Board celebrated the Day with various activities. The programme started with flag off of an Vulture Awareness Car at 6:30 am from VC Bungalow by Prof. M.K.Mishra, Vice Chancellor, University of Lucknow and his wife Mrs. Meena Mishra. The vulture awareness car was well decorated with banners, posters, stickers etc. on vulture awareness. At the same time vulture rakhis were tied to Mrs. Meena Mishra, and other faculty members. The car covered areas of Lucknow city like National Botanical Research Institute, Ram Manohar Lohiya Park, Regional Science City, Fun Republic, Waves, Sahara Ganj, Zoo, Charbagh railway station, Aminabad, Chowk, Hazaratganj, and distributed awareness materials on vultures. Total of 6000 pamphlets were distributed among people and various local schools and colleges of Lucknow city. In another event painting competition was also organized along with a display stall at Gate no. 4 of Lucknow University. The vulture kits by Zoo Outreach Organisation were sent to more than 20 schools of Lucknow along with other educational material. The principals and science teachers were very enthusiast by the awareness material especially the vulture rakhis were very attractive. The programme concluded with the fun-fare with much enthusiasm among youth as well as elders of the city. The programme was lead by Dr.Amita Kanaujia (Dr. Amita Kanaujia is Associate Professor in Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow. She is one of the members of State Vulture Conservation Society, Department of Forest Uttar Pradesh), her Research Scholars (Ms.Sonika Kushwaha, Mr.Akhilesh Kumar and Yasmin Zaidi) as well as volunteers (Mrs. Sheel, Mr.Nafees Alam and Mr.Grijesh). Submitted by: Dr. Amita Kanaujia, Lucknow University. UP. Email: [email protected]
Well decorated vulture awareness car flag off by Vice Chancellor and his wife
Students made aware of vulture conservation
People from all walks of life come forward to save vultures
CEE, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
International Vulture Awareness Day was observed by Centre for Environment Education, CEE Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal with educational material support from Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore.
Government Divisional Residential School Katara Hills, Bhopal was selected for the programme as it represents the students from 8 nearby districts of Bhopal from Madhya Pradesh with capacity of 300 students (Boys and Girls) from classes VI-XII std and 25 teachers. This school is in outskirts of the city where vultures population may be seen frequently and students have some sight of this bird.
The awareness programme on vulture was first discussed with Shri.S.P.Arjaria, Principal and Ms.Rakhi Vishwakarma, Teacher (TGT-Science). School administration was welcomed and invited CEE to organize the programme. The vulture kit and presentation on vulture provided by ZOO was gone through by Mr. Dilip Chakravarty, Project Officer, CEE and made it simple and linguistic.
The programme started with the introduction of participants and an overview of session. The general characteristic of Vultures, their habitat, types of vultures found in India through flash card, food habit and social behavior was shared with the participants. The cultural and ecological significance of the bird is also informed during the session. Students and teachers were curious to know why the population of this huge bird is declining in recent days. The answer to this question came from the student of class VI Master Liladhar. He responded that the chemical used for livestock for pain reliving is the major threat to vulture population. Later on the chemical Diclofenac and its impact to vultures was explained by the educator. At the end the conservation efforts by MoEF and different organization was also informed to the participants.
To make session more interactive, students from different classes in group of 10 students were invited to play with the learning materials on vultures. Students were happy to receive materials like stickers, flash card, placard, rakhi and booklet on vultures developed by ZOO Outreach Organization. Few kits were also provided to the teachers in order to carry out future programme on this topic. Students also tied rakhi to each other and took pledge to conserve vultures at own level. Students and
teacher were benefited by this session and encouraged to have more such programme based on species conservation.
Submitted by: Mr. Dilip Chakravarthy, Project Officer. CEE, MP Office. Email: [email protected]
Mr. Dilip Chakravarthy gives an overview about vultures
Teachers provided with vulture kits to have future programmes on vultures
Enthusiastic students who are having vulture materials
RMNH, Bhopal celebrates IVAD 2012
RMNH arranged Vulture Awareness Programme to mark the International Vulture Awareness Day. Eighty students of Govt. Navin Higher Secondary School, Area Colony participated. Shri Manik Lal Gupta, Educational Asst. during his presentation informed the students the vulture were one of the biggest birds of India feeding on dead body and found cleaning the environment as ‘Scavengers’. Vulture also may prefer fresh meat and they take bathe after each meal, which shows their hygienic attitude. He further added that population of vultures are declining due to changes in processing of dead livestock, use of diclofenac as pain killer to cattle, application of pesticides, habitat alteration in breeding areas, forest fire, massive mining etc. Shri M.L. Gupta also informed that they used to collect twigs to build a nest on cliffs or tall trees. They are slow breeders found to lay only one egg in per year leading to their thin population. Shri Gupta told to students that vultures wait for a mightier scavenger to eat first interestingly to open the carcass. These vultures do not carry food to their young ones in their claws. Bacteria infected food never affect the health of vulture due to its strong acid content of stomach. Shri Gupta elaborated that the dogs, wild dogs, crows, hyenas etc. were the natural competitor of vulture and it has been noticed that vultures were brilliant fliers with a wingspan of well over two meters and could fly for hours without flapping once. He recalled the names of different vultures as White backed, Slender billed, Egyptian, Long billed, Himalayan griffon, Eurasian griffon, Bearded, Black and Red vultures are found in India. During discussion most of the students revealed that they did not notice vulture any where however only fifteen students acknowledged that sighting of only one species. Shri Gupta made an appeal to the students not to disturb their habitat and nest. Study material received from Zoo Outreach Organisation, Coimbatore was distributed among the students. Shri Amol Adholiya, Teacher and Eco-club in charge, Govt. Navin Higher Secondary School, Arera Colony was also present during the programme. Submitted by Sethuramalingam, ‘Scientist - E’, Email: [email protected]
Govt. Navin H.S.S. students tying vulture rakhi
Students rejoicing with vulture kits
Mr. Manik Lal Gupta presenting a slide show on vultures
International Vulture AwarenessDay Programme at Adyar Poonga, Chennai
In order to support the vulture conservation initiatives and to highlight the importance of Critically Endangered Gyps Vultures in the ecosystem, we celebrated the International Vulture Awareness Day on 1 September 2012 to create awareness among the school children. On that day, around 127 students from National Public School, Gopalapuram, Chennai participated in the programme. The interpretation executive of Adyar Poonga delivered a presentation on Gyps vultures. Students were well taught about the characters and behaviour of vultures, the cause of their decline in Indian Sub-continent and how to save them. With the help of the resource materials provided by Zoo Outreach Organization, they gathered information through the flash cards and booklets. They tied vulture rakhi to one another by taking an oath to save the vultures and holding up the placard they conducted a small rally after which the reading materials were circulated to all the students. Submitted by: N. Gomathi, Interpretation Executive, [email protected]
Vulture Awareness programmes at Mysore Zoo
Mysore Zoo conducted vulture awareness programmes on the occasion of International Vulture Awareness Day (2012) with materials received from Zoo Outreach Organization. On 9 September 2012, the Youth Club members were involved in the programme. They were asked to appraise the importance of vultures and share what they know about them. Also they were given an assignment to which they responded enthusiastically with write-ups and photographs. The members were very enthusiastic indeed and even educated the visitors about vultures. On 11 September 2012, another programme was conducted for Gopal Sishu Shikshana Government High School students. They were told about vultures and their conservation after which ZOO’s education packets were given to them. After they went through the contents of the education materials they wrote essays about vultures. Submitted by: Mr. B.P. Ravi, CCF & Exe. Director. Email: [email protected]
Students with ZOO’s vulture kits
Mysore Zoo Youth Club members assignments on Vultures
Chambal Conservation Initiatives, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh
Wildlife Week celebrated on 3 October 2012 by the Chambal Conservation Initiatives at the School of Studies in Environmental Science, Jiwaji University, Gwalior. A lecture on Wildlife Conservation in India given by the Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Khudsar, Scientist In charge, Yamuna Biodiversity Park, University of Delhi. He gave information to Master of Environmental Sciences students on what is wildlife, why we protect our wildlife, why it's important for our life and what is the current status of critical endangered species of India including vultures.
After that painting competition for the middle class level students of Gurukul Vidhyadham Junior High School was organised and they made illustrations of various animals like tiger, crocodiles and vulture etc. They visited Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior in the field visit and saw wild animals and discussions held with them. Zoo Outreach Organizaton’s education material on vulture was given after the detailed demonstration. Submitted by: Dr. Sitaram Taigor, Sec. General. Email: [email protected]
Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan-Zoo, Mumbai, Maharashtra
The Wildlife Week festivities were flagged off at on 1 October 2012 by a pledge-taking ceremony; written in Marathi, Hindi and English, which was led by Mr. Anil Paranjpe, Education-cum-PRO, where-in the Municipal School teachers and students from the private schools took oat and promised to “value and conserve the wildlife of our country”. A Zoo Awareness Programme conducted for 20 Municipal School teachers & two Beat Officers followed this and the programme included an ntroductory lecture, zoo guided tour & presentations.
The Educational packets on the topics, pollinators, animal welfare, vultures and bats were received from the Zoo Outreach Organisation, Coimbatore. A demonstration on how to use the materials for creating empathy and awareness about these non charismatic animals such as bats, vultures in particular and wildlife in general was given to the teachers participated in zoo awareness programmes on 1 and 4 October and the school students participated in the drawing competition
held on 2 October 2012. The educational packets were given to students and teachers after the programme. The teachers expressed that the material is highly useful for conducting awareness programmes in their schools.Submitted by: Mr. Anil M. Anjankar, Director. Email: [email protected]
Nethaji Snake Trust joins hands with Madurai district (TN) colleges to celebrate Wildlife Week
NEST conducted two programmes during wildlife week. On 04 October the first programme was held at P.M. Thevar College, Usilampatti, Madurai. About 800 students participated. Mr. Balakrishnan, Supt.of Police, Madurai was the chief guest and he talked to the students about the need to
conserving wildlife. Dr. V. Muruganandan, Principal of the college talked about the global warming. Mr. Ramesh, Founder of Nethaji Sanke Trust gave detailed information of wildlife and particular about vultures. After that students provided with ZOO’s vulture education kits. They went through the booklet, flash cards. They tied the rakhi and took an oath to conserve vulture by holding placard. Participation certificates were awarded to the students. Submitted by: P. Ramesh. Email: [email protected]
Lucknow University, UP celebrates wildlife week
Department of Zoology celebrated Wildlife Week sponsored by Zoo Outreach Organisation’s Educator Network (ZEN), and Regional Science
Gurukul Vidhyadham students made colour drawings of vultures
Lucknow University students with vulture kits
City, Lucknow. It was conducted at Regional Science City involving more than 700 students of class 4-8, High School, Intermediate, as well as Graduate, Post-graduate, N.S.S. (National Service Scheme), N.C.C. (National Cadet Corps), Rover & Rangers (Bharat Scouts & Guides) from about 35 schools, colleges and Universities of Lucknow. It began with a “Wildlife Awareness Car”, flagged off by Mrs. Meena Misra, wife of the Vice Chancellor Prof M.K. Misra. The car was then taken around the Lucknow City by Mr.Nafees Aalam and Mrs.Sheel Tiwari to make aware the public through the distribution of various flyers (turtles, eagles, vulture, sparrows, butterflies, amphibians etc.) During the 7 days 10,000 flyers both in English and Hindi were distributed. On 2 October, on the occasion of birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, students participated in fancy dress competition, family quiz and logo competition. During the programme, a rakhi tying ceremony was conducted in which the teachers, parents and students tied vulture and other animal rakhis to each other and took an oath to protect and conserve wildlife including vultures. Zoo Outreach Organisation’s Educator Network (ZEN) provided. There were movies on vultures screened.
The students from HAL School presented on the spot skits on vulture, pollinators and bats conservation with the help of awareness materials received from ZOO. The students visited the wildlife photo exhibition. The school students interacted and learnt a lot from the material in display from Zoo Outreach Organisation, Tamil Nadu as well as Dept. of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Regional Science City and U.P.State Biodiversity Board. Submitted by: Dr. Amita Kanaujia. Email: [email protected]
Vulture awareness programme in Assam school during Wildlife Week
In collaboration with Zoo Outreach Organisation’s Educator Network (ZEN) an awareness programme themed “Vulture Conservation in Assam” was held at Vidyaniketan Govt. High School, Pandu, Guwahati, Assam on 3
October, 2012. Thirty five studens of Class VIII participated. The students were described about the theme. They were tod about the Indian Vulture species have suffered a 99%–97% population decrease in Pakistan and India and between 2000-2007 and the 9 species of vultures found in India.
The education materials on vultures explained to the students and then distributed. They went through each materials. They tied rakhi with other and holding the placard. The read the flash cards. I want to thank Zoo Outreach Organisation for providing the vulture education materials. Submitted by: Ms. Arpita Das, Assistant Science Teacher. Email: [email protected]
Wildlife Week Celebration at Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
The wildlife week-2012 organized by Dept. Env. Science was inoculated by Prof. A.K. Gehlot, Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Veterinary University, Bikaner on the 1 October, 2012. Prof. M. M. Saxena, Dean and Dr. Meera
Srivastava Head, Department Zoology, Doongar College gave their views on the role and responsibilities of academicians in the education and awareness for wildlife involving the youth in wildlife conservation researches and studies. Dr Pratap Singh, Department Zoology, Doongar College, Bikaner presented a lecture on the “status of wildlife including mammals, birds and reptiles”. About 90 students of Maharaja Ganga Singh University and other colleges participated in the poster competition, on the subject “Wildlife Conservation”. Then Dr. Anil Kumar Chhangani showed documentaries on vultures and also gave a lecture on the status of vultures in Rajasthan. Elocution competition on the topic “Wildlife Conservation” was organised 4 day in which 19 students participated. After this, education and awareness materials provided by the
Govt. High School, Assam students with placard taking an oath
Reading the information in the flash cards about 9 vulture species
Zoo Outreach Organisation were explained its importance and distributed. The trained participants were sent in small teams to various schools and colleges of Bikaner city and also the places where children who do not go to school. They organized wildlife awareness programs on vultures and other animas through play, talk in local language and distributed the various education and awareness material provided by the Zoo Outreach Organisation.. Submitted by: Dr. Anil Kumar Chhangani. Email: [email protected].
Nisargshala, Nashik, Maharashtra
Nisargshala, Nashik organized a programme during wildlife week at S. K. Pande Vidhyalaya abd Jr. College, Chehdi. Mr. Bhorsir and Mr. Ghottekar welcomed the participants. After that Mr. Bhor distributed ZOO kits to eco club students. Students talked about the importance of vulture, pollinators and other wildlife. Mr. Anil Mali explained the importance of biodiversity and how to save it. The school thanked the Zoo Outreach Organisation, Nisarghala and Wildlife Heritage Conservation Society for the support. Submitted by: Ojas Mali, NEST, Nashik, Maharashtra.
Modern Education Society’s Secondary School, Nashik
Wildlife Week was celebrated on 4 October. Head Mistress Mrs. Smita S. Gaidhani inaugurated the programme. After that Mr. Anil Mali explained about the importance of biodiversity and food chain. Then, the education kits were given to the nature club members. With the help of the kits the drawing competition was held on the theme “ save the vultures”. Followed this a fancy dress competition on wildlife was conducted. Nine students dressed up 9 types of vulture posters and gave the information about the habitat, food and importance of vultures in food chain. The winners of the competition were awarded with prizes. The school thanked Zoo Outreach Organization for the materials. Submitted by: Anil Mali. Email: [email protected]
Nine students with nine species of vultures at Nashik School
Vulture Education Packet Materials