Further Problems

hi, Please find below the BBC website link to new evoling problem:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8402464.stm

Pictures

Hi, Sorry been busy adjusting back into normal life. Here are a few pictures from the whole trip. Thanks Steve

Home

Hi, Just a quick one to say I have made it home safe and sound. Over the weekend I will write more and upload pictures. Cheers Steve

Nearly the End - Parahawking to finish!!

Hi,

I am now back in Kathmandu and then I will be flying home on Thursday 23rd April. The Asian Vulture Conservation work that I was involved with has come to an end. Good News! we managed to achieve the target number of vulture chicks on the very last day of catching. Everyone is very pleased and on a number of occasion we never thought we would hit the target but everyone pulled together and our goal was eventually reached. It was not easy but this has been the most rewarding and satisfying thing I have ever been apart of. Team Vulture are now resting but very pleased how everything has gone. This is just the beginning of the work for conserving the Asian Vultures and much care and attention will be required to look after these birds for the future.

So how do you end a project like this on an even higher note?? Today I was lucky enough to be taken out Paragliding, but not just Paragliding but Parahawking. This involves the unique and breathtaking chance to fly with a Egyptian Vulture (Bob) and watch him glide through the air and then feed him from my hand. This was the best experience I have ever had and a fitting end to this unbelievable trip. Anyone interested in finding out more about Parahawking in Pohkara then contact Scott at : http://www.parahawking.com/

Thanks Again Scott!!

Even more Pictures from the last few weeks

hi,

A few more pictures from the last few weeks and last year, again these are from Richard Cuthbert Collection.

They are not in any particular order:

1) Map of Nepal
2) Machhapuchre (on the right) in the morning from Pokhara
3) Rampur - trekking into different nest sites
4) Western Sarai - a large crowd gather
5) Rampour - trekking to a nest but no chick was present
6) Westerm Sarai - day one
7,8) Rampur - views whilst trekking to nests
9) Oriental White Back Vulture (2008)
10) Trekking to a nest in Pokhara - we did get many strange looks on the trip

More Pictures - The Problem

Hi,

Here are a few more pictures from this year and last year from Richard Cuthbert collection. This is a overview to the problem.

1) The Asian Vulture Numbers have decreased by more than 97% since the 1990s and still decreasing!

2) The Problem- Diclofenac Sodium - Used as a anti-inflammatory drug for live stock and fatal if consumed by Vultures (very small % contamination to be fatal)

3) Part of the cure - Vulture Restaurant where wild vultures are feed SAFE meat twice a week.

4) Another part of the cure - Captive breeding where Asian Vultures will breed and eventually be reintroduced back into the wild in areas that are free from Diclofenac. This may be many years partly due to the fact that Vultures do not reproduce till around 5 years old and also the fact that removing this drug from use in Asian is difficult even thou there are different safe forms of anti-inflammatory drugs available.

Pictures from the last few weeks

hi,

I have just had a three course breakfast and my feet are recovering from the 68km trek to ABC. I am resting today and thought I would take the time to upload some pictures from the last few weeks. These pictures were taken by Richard Cuthbert and are not in date order (I hope you do not mind me publishing these images). I have many picture of my own that I cannot upload at the moment. Between me, Richard and Tulsi we have thousands of images and video. When I get back to the UK I will look into editing them and maybe do a slide show!

OK here we go (again click on image for full size but these have been compressed):

1) Small Oriental White Back Vulture chick high in Sal Tree in Western Tarai (6-8 Weeks old)

2) Many very interesting children

3) Day one in Rampur (secret tree) -I think KapokTree

4,5,6) Last day further West of Dhangadhi coming close to the end of the work - Saj Tree (Far West Nepal)

7,8) Last day in Rampur, you can just see me in Picture 7 - Kapok Tree

9) On the road leaving from Rampur heading south

10) Me after 3 hard great days of trekking and tree climbing in Rampur (Palpa Area) Great Photo!

11) Team Vulture L to R Anand, Me, Tulsi, Ram, Richard at the end in Dhangadhi

12) Large Oriental White Back Vulture Chick (12-14 weeks old) - Western Tarai

Back in Pokhara after ABC

Hi,


I am back in Pokhara after a couples of days in the high mountains. Things have been great and my part in the Vulture Conservation Work are almost at an end. Things could not have gone better with the project and the last four weeks have been a fantastic blurr. I have had a few free days so as I am in Pokhara I decided to get up high into the Annapurna Himal mountain range. I decided on tackling the Annapurna Sanctuary to then continue further onto Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). I started of the trek in a little rush as short of time. As per usual and being a British Mountaineer I pack far to much kit and far too much food and water (little did I know that there would be Tea houses every half an hour on the lower part of the trek and every Hour higher up). I left Monday lunch time and started from Phedi (which when I looked at the map did not fancy as you gained plenty of height but then lose it soon after, i much preferred the over route from Naya Pul but everyone I spoke to said this was the way it was done). Anyway the first day went well and was good to be moving through the steep sided valleys through miles of rhododendrons. After a good started and it was the end of the day I booked into the Maya Lodge in Landrung with again very good Daal Bhaat for tea. Waking early great views of Annapurna South triggered a switch in me and I was soon trekking up the valley to cover a large amount of ground to arrive late in the day at the Himalaya Lodge (2,900 metres) Again Daal Baat and an early night. Waking at 5am and starting the day with a bowl of Muesli with Iodine treated water for breakfast was probably not the tastiest breakfast but was important fuel to take me up to Annapurna Base Camp. Leaving early in the morning was very special and the views of the mountains were breathtaking. After a few hours of trekking up the valley to break through the Sanctuary and onto the much worn snow covered path lead me to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130metres). I feel that no words or even pictures can give a true representation to the scale of these mountains. I spent and hour at the Base Camp and drank two big cups of milk tea starring at this unbelievable crown on mountains. I then trekked back over two days back Pokhara via the Naya Pul finish which would have been easier as you dont lose and gain plenty of height. I have covered much ground in the last few days so on reaching Pokhara I have just treated myself to a 3 course meal and may consider going back for seconds later on tonight. A well earned rest day tomorrow and let my feet recover! Cheers Steve

Pokhara

hi,

ok managed to get to Pokhara after there was no connection flights from Kathmandu. This turned out to be a really good thing as I then went on to catch a micro to Pokhara( a mini bus with around 25 people squashed in, with regular snack breaks and I met some different characters on the way) . The journey was long but with all the hassle of airport waiting etc not really much in it. The micro was 2 pounds! where the flight 60 so a good saving and a lot greener. I may be off Internet contact for the next few days but things are a little uncertain at the moment. Cheers Steve

Dhangadhi

hi, I am still in Dhangadhi and things are getting hot (mid 30s). I am coping well with the heat wearing plenty of factor 50 sun screen (for children) and a large rimmed hat. The last week has been busy and we have achieved a lot. Yesterday was a full day and climbing trees in the midday heat was hot but where possible I tried to climb on the shaded side of the trunk. This was good until I was high in the tree and there was no tree cover . This morning we got away very early to make the most of the cool morning temperature and headed an hour further West (Like I thought we could go any further West than we had). It took some time gaining a climbing line high into the tree but then all went very well and the nest was soon reached. Then we return back to the lodge where we have been resting and taking shelter from the sun. The plan is to fly to Kathmadu tomorrow then I will head onto Pokhara the same day. Things are really starting to come together with the Vulture Conservation work and everyone is pleased with progress. I will keep you posted from Pokhara. Cheers Steve

Dang and now Dhangadhi

Hi,

The last few days have either been traveling in the hilux, climbing trees up to vultures nests or eating Daal Baat. It has been a great few days on the road taking in the scenery and with a ipod of 2,700 songs on constant shuffle mode and Anand and Tulsi giving me the full Nepalese tour never boring. We left Sauraha to head to Dang but due to a car crash(fatality) then a road strike was set up by the family relatives until compensation was paid. This made us take a long bumpy detour route ended up in Dang very late and beers and Daal Baat awaited us. We spent a couple of days catching in Dang and things went pretty well. Then yesterday we headed far West to Dangadhi. This journey was long but fast smooth roads a welcome change. On route we crossed the Karnali river where we spent some time watching Gharials again there numbers are rapidly decreasing. Then we carried on West and spent time at Ghodaghodi Lake area where Anand used to work. It was interesting to learn about this important wetland area and all the associated wildlife. We then ended up in Dhangadhi and a wide menu was on offer so I had a pizza to break the habit and it was not too bad. Today we have achieved alot in the Dhangadhi area and things are progressing well. The last tree of today was a tricky one to climb to gain access to the nest but all went well in the end. I am now feeling very positive that the target of this project may now be achievable. I think the rough plan is to stay here for another day then flying to Kathmadu on April 12th and then onto Pokhara. I will return to the UK on Thursday 23rd April. I hope everyone is good Cheers Steve

Dang and then far West

Hi, feeling reborn this morning as yesterday had to get my hair and beard pruned. I went to a small barbers shop just around the corner from where I am staying in Saurama. The hair cut was great and then he soaped my face up for the cut throat razor shave! Just as he was about to start shaving me the electric went and into the darkness we went! he assured me that this would not be a problem. To be fair this was the best shave I have every had and not one nick. To follow this the head/back/arms massage to finish was bliss. So today I am one hundred percent fit and ready to go again.

We will be heading out west to a small place called Dang (100km west) where we will be for a couple of days. Then a further 200km west to the edge of Nepal boarding India for a few more days. From here we may be flying back to Kathmandu and then onto Pokhara for the reminder of the trip.

Again I may be out of contact for the next few days.

Cheers Steve

Saurama

Hi, I am still in Saurama and recovering well from the many days spent working hard in Rampur. So far today I have been eating very well and sorting out equipment for the next part of the project. Tomorrow we will be heading far West where we will be for the rest of the week. Possibly this may bring us alittle closer to completing this part of the vulture conservation work but due to road strikes etc (another one today!) the work may well continue for longer. I am therefore making arrangement to stay out here for a extra week to cover this. Can someone from my work (Tree Service Unit) tell Martin that unfortunately I may be delayed by a week and will not be back in work till Monday 27 th April (If there are any problems please contact me on my email stevelucocq@hotmail.com). Also today we took the opportunity to visit the Vulture Conservation and breeding centre in Kasara which is part of the Chitwan National Park. This is the first time I have visited this centre and will be the eventually place where the Vulture chicks from this year will live after there time in quarantine has been cleared. At the centre they are in the process of building an impressive large 100 foot long flight aviary for the birds to live in. Seeing the aviary made me feel proud to be apart of this project but a little sad that such action has to be taken to try to prevent the extinction of the Asian Vultures.

Also things had reached critical with my vulture work clothes and had to get them washed where we were currently staying. I did feel pretty bad when I saw the person from our lodge scrubbing my very very dirty sweat stained vulture guano in crusted clothes by hand. I think I will pay him at least double! Cheers Steve

Rampur (Palpa)

Hi, sorry for the delay in posts but I have been off the beaten track for a good few days. Ok we left Pokhara and headed down to Rampur. The driving started off on good roads but steadily the roads became more and more rutted and dusty. After many hours of traveling along tracks high up on steep sided valleys we arrived at Rampur. Again I spent hours looking out of the truck window sucking up the scenery. Rampur is very much the real Nepal and gave me a true taste of Nepal (And a good true taste of Daal Bhaat which was very good every night for dinner). The days we spent in Rampur were by far the hardest but the most rewarding part of the trip so far. With early starts and long treks into untouched beauty it was brilliant. The trekking was steep and long but walking through paddie fields and small villages made hours feel like minutes. The tree where the nests were located were generally large kapok trees and some challenges had to be over come to get to the nests but wonderfull views were had from high within the trees. One of the first trees I climbed was next to a small village. The climbing was not too tricky but slowly more and more people came out to watch. I thought they were interested in what we were doing but it turned out that the tree was a secret tree. Luckily Tulsi from Bird Conservation Nepal explained about the nature of the work we were doing and everyone was supportive of the work. The people of Rampur were interested in the climbing systems we were using but very humbling was the fact that some of the trees we have climbed have been climbed many times in the past to cut regrowth for fodder to feed animals. Some of these trees had very small holds cut into the trunk and carry on up high (20 metres) into the tree. So I can imagine that most people were thinking why has he got all those ropes and fancy equipment? Things in Rampur went very well and we achieved more than we expected. Myself and Tulsi managed to catch one Vulture chick that fledged the nest when Richard climbed within feet of the nest. The Vulture chick flew across the valley to the other side. People must of thought we had gone mad as they were working hard in the fields below as we came running down the steep banks and across the Paddie fields shouting giddha giddha !! (Vulture Vulture). Every part of Rampur was breath taking and we felt like we did everything that we could achieve there. I have many photos to add but the Internet connection is slow. Again road strikes tomorrow so this will again slow us down but a well earned rest after five great days of trekking, climbing and rough roads. I am now back in Saurama where I will be for the next few days. Thanks for the comments and support, keep them coming!!. Cheers Steve

Back at Pokhara

Hi, There still is the problem of a road strike which will last a few days on the road to Butwal where we would be going onto Palpa. So instead we have had to head back north west to Pokhara and then early in the morning we will head south to Palpa. This has turned 4 hours driving into 10!. We are all ready for the next few days and we have plenty of muesli, nuts, powdered milk and diesel fuel so we will be able to be self sufficient for the next few days. I will write a detail post on my return. Cheers Steve

PS Tucker, you taught me everything I know!!

Saurama - Strike

Hi, just a quick post, we are currently stuck in Saurama as the road to Palpa (a few hours west) is blocked due to striking. I am a little frustrated as I am keen to carry on with the Vulture conservation work but this has slowed us down. It is important that we get to Palpa soon as the vultures will soon be fledging the nests so hopefully the strike will get resolved tomorrow. I have had a rest day today and took the opportunity to take an elephant ride through the Chitwan National Park which was great and saw two Asian one horn rhino which was a treat as there numbers are getting very low. I may be out of Internet contact for a good few days if I leave to Palpa in the morning, we will see what the morning brings..... Cheers Steve

More Pictures!

Please note for those who do not know,click on the image to get a higher quaility image 1) picture was taken on descending down the steep sided valley toward the river that is feed from the Phewa tal lake that is around Pokhara. 2) 3 children at the top of the valley after the bumpy 4X 4 drive which we did yesterday 3) the bridge to cross the river feed from Phewa tal.

Leaving Pokhara

Pictures - 1.) This is the vine/bramble covered tree with the nest perfectly formed in the top of the tree (as mentioned in an earlier post.) 2.) This is me looking my very best (before tree in pic 1) 3.) Team Vulture (in Butwal) - From left , am bad with names (sorry who I have forgotten!) our driver, Anand from Bird Conservation Nepal , Richard Cuthbert from RSPB, Tulsi from Bird Conservation Nepal and another person who helped us with carrying equipment etc - everyone has been great in looking after me and educating me in all areas of Nepal..Thanks! 4) Tulsi - he was a natural tree climber 5) children. I may try attaching a few more pictures if I have time.

Hi, ok making the most of good Internet access, great coffee and danishes. This morning was the last part of the work to be completed in Pokhara and went well. I woke to perfect views of the whole Annapurna mountain range and they really did knock me off my feet. They are soo big that the scale looks unreal and like there superimposed onto the background. I have taken many pictures but have not got access to them at the moment. We then head up into the steep side valley where we had been working for the last few days. The last nest we were to gain access to was tricky as was on a steep side of a small water fall and the large tree was leaning away from the bank. We had to use a few different skills where i was sorting out gaining access lines into the tree and manageing ropes down on the side of the bank as Richard climbed the tree. We work well together and by early lunch time all was completed and we head back into Pokhara for lunch. I am not 100 percent ready to leave Pokhara to return to Saurama for a few days. We then have many different areas to cover in the next few weeks. I will make the most of good internet access by attaching a few pictures. Thanks Steve

Pokhara - After the thunderstorm

hi, A good storm passed through last night with much thunder and lighting. This morning got going early and set off to a similar site as yesterday. In stead of the big walk in up the valley we decided to take the Hilux 4 By 4 up a steep rocky muddy track to get to the top of the valley. This proved a little bit tricky with wet clay soil and many boulders making the going very bumpy and slow (having to get out and push). We eventually arrived at the top of the valley and then we set off down with many hundreds of paddie field all glued to the contours of the steep sided valley (the amount of work to build, maintain and farm these must be mind blowing). We soon arrived at the site and the work was soon completed there. We then headed to the next area following the valley further down. It took some time in finding the area even with GPS and was hard going but great scenery as we moved into thicker wooded areas. I started climbing the tree which had no really difficulties but on arriving near to the nest I could see that with one was very ready to fledge the nest. I climbed closer but getting within a few feet of the nest the chick fledged the nest. It flew very well and when I descended back to the ground the chick soon returned to the nest. Best leave this one for another year. We then continued to descend further down the valley and then crossed the river to ascend a massive set of steps to meet the driver with the beatern up hilux. Now back in Pokhara where I think after tomorrows work we will be leaving back to Saurama for a few days and then we are going deep into the wilds for around 5-6 days. I am now making the most of my creature comforts as I think that soon may change. Its all good and things are going great. Thanks again and will post a few more pictures but memory stick is saying NO.

Pokhara - A dusty Llanberris

The Pictures from top left to right (1-children , 2- I was unsure about publishing this picture as I feel what we are doing is sensitive work and slightly distressing to the bird and myself, but this chick would have had less than 20% survival chance in it first year if left in the wild, with out this work they may well be extincted in around 5 years time (for the record this is a small chick), 3 - one of the harder trees (35m) with nest in view mid top right, this is the tree that I mentioned in an early post with aid climbing etc (this is the tree with the nest in pic 2), 4 - one of the easier trees with two nests!......both trees sadly had many ants nests!)

Ok in Pokhara and managed to have early morning views of the mountain Machhapuchhre (6993m)..amazing. It looks very much like the matterhorn but bigger. I believe that all climbing is banded on the mountain for religious reasons so that my excuse for not climbing it!...Feeling a lot better today as have not been 100 percent for the last few days (food). But waking up to the sight of the mountains automatically made me feel better. We headed shortly out of Pokhara (a haven for all extreme sports people - parraglydling with hawks (I am on the case), trekking, rafting, mountaineering etc so like a warm dusty Llanberris so I am feeling at home). So we left early after an healthy breakfast and traveled a short distance out of Pokhara. Then we had to tackle many steps and crossing steep sides of Paddie fields (spelling sorry)to arrive at the nesting site after over an hour of slogging with heavy packs (which i always surprizing enjoy). The tree was largeish (30+metres) and tricky as was covered in vines and massive brambles so I decided to take one for the team and climb the tree to get to the vultures nest. It was difficult to get a rope high into the tree but managed with a little bit of flicking and pulling to get the rope into position. Then it was a case of battle through the dense shrubby layer to get into the bottom part of the tree. To climb further it was a jungle in the tree so had to use many different skills of pulling vines and minimal cutting to find a way through the sharp brambles and vines ( i am now one shirt down). All went well with the climb and never got frustrated with the brambles as its too hot for that. Soon with a bit more battling I returned to the ground with the chick (4.8kg!) and a hour and half after leaving the ground. I am now resting and licking my wounds. Hopefully I will attach some pictures. Thanks again Steve ps thunder is building loud in the mountains!!! pps ok we have reached the half way mark with the Vulture conservation work but the sites are getting further a field and spread out and numbers as very much down on last year (further knowledge of the mass decline in there numbers) ....i have become very aware that time is running out. thanks again and hope everyone is good.