Cambodian vultures are now conservation dependent: an update on vulture populations in Cambodia

A new article published in the Cambodian Journal of Natural History reveals a mixed but precarious outlook for Cambodia’s three resident vulture species. While intensive conservation efforts, particularly supplementary feeding programs, have stabilised two species, the long-term survival of all three remains highly dependent on continued, costly support from conservation organisations.

Three vulture species. Photo by Romain Legrand

The study, based on a decade of census counts and regular observations at feeding sites (March 2014 – December 2024), indicates that populations of the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) have stabilised after the marked decline observed in previous studies.

In 2024, 78 White-rumped Vultures and 48 Slender-billed Vultures were counted, with the White-rumped population even showing a recent increase. However, the Red-headed Vulture continues its national decline, with only 14 individuals recorded in the same year.

A key takeaway of the research is the effectiveness of supplementary feeding at “vulture restaurants” in the Cambodian context. These programs have been crucial in mitigating threats from secondary poisoning and natural food scarcity, essentially halting the decline of the Slender-billed and White-rumped Vultures. The Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary (SPWS) and Chhaeb-Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary (CPRWS) have emerged as national strongholds for vulture conservation.

However, these recent successes come with a significant caveat: the vultures are now highly conservation-dependent in Cambodia. The concentration of birds around these feeding sites, while beneficial for mitigating some threats, also increases their vulnerability to catastrophic poisoning events. Furthermore, the financial burden of these programs is substantial.

Vultures feeding at Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo by Jonathan Eames.

The study concludes that continued, regular provision of carcasses at these key sites is essential for the survival of Cambodia’s vulture populations in the short term. This vital support currently relies on just three organizations: Rising Phoenix, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and to a lesser extent World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The withdrawal of any of these organisations would likely have severe consequences for the future of vulture species in Cambodia.

Compiled by lead author Romain Legrand, Rising Phoenix.

Long-term conservation efforts by members of the Cambodia Vulture Working Group (SAVE core partner) have enabled the monitoring of national-level populations.