Friday 24 April 2009

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

Tuesday 21 April 2009

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!!














Sunday 19 April 2009

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.












Friday 17 April 2009

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



















Thursday 16 April 2009

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

Monday 13 April 2009

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

Saturday 11 April 2009

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

Friday 10 April 2009

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

Tuesday 7 April 2009

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

Monday 6 April 2009

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

Sunday 5 April 2009

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