Himalayan Griffon
Status: Category VII, Least Concern, LC. The only species of the genus in the fauna of the Kyrgyz Republic - a representative of a complex of species of Tibetan origin. Monotypic species.
Distribution general and in the country. Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Tibet, Kunlun, Altyn-Tag, Nanshan. In the Tian Shan, it inhabits the Alaï, Turkestan, Fergana, and Kyrgyz ridges, Teskey Ala-Too, and the ridges of Central and Inner Tian Shan [3, 7].
Habitat. Inhabits the subalpine and alpine zones of Tian Shan, in habitats of wild ungulates and concentrations of domestic animals. Prefers to nest in areas with rocky outcrops.
Population. In the late 1980s, the griffon was regularly encountered on routes in the high mountain zones in numbers of 1-2 individuals (equivalent to 0.1 - 0.9 ind./sq.km) in the Teskey Ala-Too and Central Tian Shan. In 1992, 55 individuals were recorded, mainly in highlands across 13 surveyed sites out of 44. The highest concentration of griffons was observed in the Ak-Dzhilga area of the Nookat district of Osh region at altitudes of 2130-2460 m above sea level, where on September 28, 26 birds were simultaneously observed around a nesting colony [16, 31].
Life style (life cycles). A sedentary bird. Nests in both solitary pairs and colonies of up to several dozen pairs. Information on nesting biology is extremely scarce. Incubation begins in March. In May, a griffon nest with one egg was found. At the end of September 1992, a colony of griffons was discovered in the Ak-Dzhilga area, with two dozen nests. Only one of them had a fledgling, which was still being fed by adult individuals. The other juvenile individuals had apparently already taken to the wing. Feeds on carrion. With sharp eyesight, griffons can concentrate on carrion with up to 8-20 individuals at a time [2, 28].
Limiting factors. The main limiting factor is the reduction of wild and domestic animals. They can fall victim to poisoned baits intended for wolves. Less frequently, they are directly exterminated by humans.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). There are examples of successful breeding in zoos. In the Kyrgyz Republic, they are not kept in captivity.
Existing conservation measures. The species is listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan [3], as well as in the Red Books of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Hunting in the territory of the republic is prohibited everywhere.
Recommended conservation measures. It is necessary to protect nesting colonies by declaring such places mini-reserves, including through funds obtained from organizing observation of griffons by amateur ornithologists in nesting areas and artificial feeding. Local residents should be involved in building hides for better observation of griffons without causing them disturbance. They can also act as organizers of ecological tours and suppliers of domestic animal carcasses to specially arranged feeding sites, provided that part of the earned funds remains at the disposal of the community as part of community funds, if available. It is necessary to map mass nesting sites, study the biology of reproduction, delineate the griffon's range, identify areas of intergradation with the white-headed vulture, clarify the relationship between these two species, and register possible cases of hybridization between these species.
Griffon
Himalayan Griffon
Gyps himalayensis Hume, 1869
Status: Category VII, Least Concern, LC. Monotypic, resident species in highlands of Northern, Western, Inner, Central Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai mountains, higher than 1,800-2,200 m (5,900-7,200 feet) above sea level. The Himalayan Griffon density in Northern Tien Shan is 0.1-0.9 individuals per km². There are several nesting colonies identified in Pamir-Alai Mountains, the quantity of Griffons in observed flocks ranges from several birds to 26. The Griffon much depends on carcass availability; that is why it occurs in areas with high density of wild sheep and goats. The species is included in the current Red Book of Kyrgyzstan of 1985. It is suggested to create small protected areas in localities where nesting or roosting sites are identified, encourage local communities to display dead domestic animals at the sites, organize special watching places, and attract ecological tourists. Money received should be reinvested back to maintain the protection of the species.
