Following several studies and GPS monitoring of 12 adult Egyptian vultures, it seems that the Omani population is well over 100 estimated pairs!

Until now, Egyptian vultures in Oman during winter were supposed to be mainly migratory birds coming from breeding sites, and it shows in the national estimation of 100 breeding couples (Jennings, 2010). However, the increase of reproductive since 1987 on the Masirah island (from 12 to 65-80 couples; Rogers 1988; Angelov et al 2013) is questioning this information.

In January 2018, 12 adult Egyptian vultures were captured in a landfill situated near Muscat (Oman). They have been equipped with GPS monitor to achieve a scientific following. In 31 may 2018, none of them have migrated. Supposing followed birds are representative, it seems probable that the main part of Egyptian vultures discovered in Oman stay during winter. Only one subject (171318) left Oman for the south of Iran.

With the results from other studies plus the counts in landfills going up to 400 characters and the investigations on Masirah island, the report suggests that the Omani population must be easily larger than the published estimation of 100 couples! This increase of Egyptian vulture during the last 50 years would be explained by the fast development of a growing human population creating plentiful amounts of food (especially landfills).
In addition to this, there is a low threat level in Oman
This added to the current low level of threat in Oman, a great news for a specie with a concerning decline in its distribution area!

The disposal waste sites allow the monitoring and covering of the global Egyptian vulture population in Oman almost weekly, which represent big opportunities for the education and the preservation of the specie. Moreover, a healthy population represent a potential source of birds for saving process implying the supplementation of reconstituting population (Ceccolini et al. 2009; Arkumarev et al. 2018) or the reintroduction in areas where the specie has been lost.

Good news for Egyptian vulture!

For further information : http://egyptianvultureoman.blogspot.com/