IUCN Species Survival Commission: Vulture Specialist Group

Abstract

Overview: Headlines included the appalling mortality event in Botswana, a major vulture meeting in Europe, a veterinary diclofenac ban in Cambodia, and VSG's first ever workshop to highlight and provide guidance on harnessing best practice. Outcomes from the CITES CoP in Switzerland could be significant too. We are now almost ready to launch the long-awaited VSG website, where we can already start to bring resources together, including 'Vulture News', the outputs from key workshops, as well as things like an agreed position statement clarifying what we do (and don't!) know on the role vultures play in preventing disease transmission. VSG has never had the opportunity to convene a meeting, but the VSG Co-chairs were both able to attend and lead an interactive session at the recent European vultures meeting to invite suggestions on developing the scope and activities of VSG. We will circulate a summary of this, but welcome further suggestions-but do keep in mind that we don't currently have resources beyond what members and others can provide with their own time and support. One addition we want to provide is an updated list of recent peer-reviewed publications, and we are currently looking at the best way to provide this.