Protection of globally threatened species Black Vulture in Kizilcahamam National Park Ankara (TUR-00-03)

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Project Details & Results

Black Vulture is a globally and nationally endangered bird species. One of the few known breeding colonies is in the Kızılcahamam area. Following the recommendations in the Action Plan for Black Vulture (by Council of Europe), the project aims to understand the main threats for this species at Kızılcahamam, propose measures for its protection, and in collaboration with (our partner) National Park Authorities, develop and start implementing a Conservation Action Plan with the participation of local stakeholders.
A national campaign against poisoning of wildlife is also launched as this is considered to pose a serious threat to vultures and other top predators in particular, and to ecosystem health in general. Public awareness towards vultures and other wildlife is increased by the use of mass media, meetings, posters, publications, etc. Education of the local people, especially of teachers and students on the benefits of vultures and other wildlife will be a major activity throughout the project.

Notable Community Participation
Governmental organizations will participate in the Black Vulture 2001 project. These governmental organizations are:
Ministry of Forestry, General Directorate of the National Parks and Game-Wildlife
Ankara Chief Engineering
Kızılcahamam Forestry Management
Kızılcahamam Municipality
Kızılcahamam Governorate

These governmental organizations will participate mainly on the logistic support. However for the scientific and protective activites they will actively participate. The resposibilities that are expected from these Governmental organizations are as follows:
Ministry of Forestry, General Directorate of the National Parks and Game-Wildlife: During the workshop which will be about the strategies for protection of black vulture, charging experts to join the activity and making local peole participate. Also for the protection of vulture making visitors not to enter remote parts of the National Park, informing people about the Black Vulture and the threats that Black Vulture face, foundation of a “Vulture Corner” at the National Park Visitor Center.
Kızılcahamam Forestry Management: Building buffer zones around the nests of black vulture
Protection of nests and potential nests

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
This project is a significant example for increasing awareness of public for nature protection mainly for the threats that such animals face all over the world. With the aid of seminars and other facilities local people will be informed about the dangers that Black Vulture face and what can be done for protection. www.kad.org.tr

Project Results
The NGO has very good relationship with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the institution solely responsible from the protection of wildlife species and their habitats. The activities were all inside Soguksu National Park and were organised together with the General Directorate of National Parks, thus ensuring their sustainability. The "Black Vulture Action Plan" prepared during the course of the project was approved by the government. Moreover a visitors centre providing information on the globally endangered Black Vulture species has been set-up. The grantee contiuned and further mobilised resources from the Royal Netherlands Embassy on the project. Activities in the NP are still ongoing with cooperation between the Grantee and the NP adminsitration.

bird watching

The nest of the Black Vulture by J-Y Piel