scholarly journals Historical and current status of vultures in Myanmar

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
HTIN HLA ◽  
NAY MYO SHWE ◽  
THURA WIN HTUN ◽  
SAO MYO ZAW ◽  
SIMON MAHOOD ◽  
...  

SummaryConcerns for the long-term survival of vulture populations on the Indian Subcontinent, owing to widespread poisoning by the veterinary drug diclofenac, have led to increased conservation focus on South-East Asian countries where diclofenac is not used and relict populations of vultures occur. We document here how White-rumped, Slender-billed and Red-headed Vultures have declined substantially in abundance and contracted in range in Myanmar over the last 50 years. Using a vulture restaurant method we determined that the population of vultures in Myanmar is at least 136 individuals, made up of at least: 62 White-rumped Vultures, 21 Slender-billed Vultures, 51 Himalayan Vultures and two Red-headed Vultures. The decline in the resident Gyps species is most likely due to declines in wild ungulate populations. Our population estimates are provisional and the survey covered only a proportion of the possible vulture range within Myanmar. Himalayan Vultures were not recorded in Myanmar in historical times, and possible reasons for the recent upsurge in records are discussed. Myanmar presents an opportunity of global significance for vulture conservation, due to the persistence of three Critically Endangered vulture species in a country where diclofenac is not used.

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
P Subedi

Critically endangered White-rumped vulture (WRV), Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed vulture (SBV), Gyps tenuirostris monitoring was conducted in Nawalparasi district in the winter of 2005 following Postupalsky criterion. The objectives of this study were to identify and monitor nest localities, behaviour and to explore information about the vultures. A total of 48 Gyps vulture nest was located at six colonies. Of these nests, 18 were found to be active nets, six nests belonged to SBV and 12 nests belonged to WRV. Hundred percent nestling successes were observed in the study area. Restricted pesticides i.e. BHC and DDT were found used in this area. Diclofenac was the commonly used veterinary drug in the treatment of livestock. Carcasses disposal practice was found favorable to the vulture's survival. Gyps vulture richness found in this area is due to the availability of food i.e. floating carcass along the edge of the Narayani river and suitable habitat for roosting and nesting. The majority of the respondents had found favorable attitude towards vulture conservation. Further studies on Gyps vulture to identify the breeding status, head droppings behavior as well as conservation awareness program for local people and school children are recommended for long-term survival of these lords of the sky in the study area. Key words: Gyps vulture, monitoring, diclofenac, pesticides   doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i2.2171 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 2, 35-43


2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (1409) ◽  
pp. 759-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Inverardi ◽  
Camillo Ricordi

Islet transplantation holds renewed promise as a cure for type I diabetes mellitus. Results of recent clinical trials have shown remarkable success, and have reignited universal optimism for this procedure. In spite of this success, the need for life–long immunosuppression of the recipient still limits islet transplantation to patients with poorly controlled diabetes or to those requiring kidney transplantation. It is obvious that the achievement of immunological tolerance would broaden the indication for islet transplantation to a much larger cohort of patients with type I diabetes mellitus, most likely preventing long–term complications and contributing to a much improved quality of life. Increased understanding of the basic mechanisms of tolerance induction has resulted in the implementation of numerous experimental approaches to achieve long–term survival of islet grafts in the absence of chronic immunosuppression. In this brief review we will attempt to summarize the current status of research and knowledge.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 568-568
Author(s):  
R. M. D. Sese ◽  
M. B. N. (Thijs) Kouwenhoven

AbstractIn the past few years, the Philippines has been gradually developing its research and educational capabilities in astronomy and astrophysics. In terms of astronomy development, it is still lagging behind several neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, while it is advanced with respect to several others. One of the main issues hampering progress is the scarcity of trained professional Filipino astronomers, as well as long-term visions for astronomy development. Here, we will be presenting an overview of astronomy education and research in the country. We will discuss the history and current status of astronomy in the Philippines, including all levels of education, outreach and awareness activities, as well as potential areas for research and collaborations. We also discuss issues that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable astronomy development in the Philippines. Finally, we discuss several ongoing and future programs aimed at promoting astronomy research and education. In essence, the work is a precursor of a possible white paper which we envision to submit to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the near future, with which we aim to further convince the authorities of the importance of astrophysics. With the support of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), this may eventually lead to the creation of a separate astronomy agency in the Philippines.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (14) ◽  
pp. 7897-7904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Mavian ◽  
Taylor K. Paisie ◽  
Meer T. Alam ◽  
Cameron Browne ◽  
Valery Madsen Beau De Rochars ◽  
...  

The spread of cholera in the midst of an epidemic is largely driven by direct transmission from person to person, although it is well-recognized thatVibrio choleraeis also capable of growth and long-term survival in aquatic ecosystems. While prior studies have shown that aquatic reservoirs are important in the persistence of the disease on the Indian subcontinent, an epidemiological view postulating that locally evolving environmentalV. choleraecontributes to outbreaks outside Asia remains debated. The single-source introduction of toxigenicV. choleraeO1 in Haiti, one of the largest outbreaks occurring this century, with 812,586 suspected cases and 9,606 deaths reported through July 2018, provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the role of aquatic reservoirs and assess bacterial transmission dynamics across environmental boundaries. To this end, we investigated the phylogeography of both clinical and aquatic toxigenicV. choleraeO1 isolates and show robust evidence of the establishment of aquatic reservoirs as well as ongoing evolution ofV. choleraeisolates from aquatic sites. Novel environmental lineages emerged from sequential population bottlenecks, carrying mutations potentially involved in adaptation to the aquatic ecosystem. Based on such empirical data, we developed a mixed-transmission dynamic model ofV. cholerae, where aquatic reservoirs actively contribute to genetic diversification and epidemic emergence, which underscores the complexity of transmission pathways in epidemics and endemic settings and the need for long-term investments in cholera control at both human and environmental levels.


Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunfa Zhou ◽  
Jiliang Xu ◽  
Zhengwang Zhang

AbstractThe current status and distribution of the Vulnerable Reeves's pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii, endemic to central China, is poorly known. To obtain updated information on its status we selected 89 candidate sites in six provinces and one municipality in central China and conducted interviews and field surveys from April 2011 to April 2012. Interviews demonstrated the pheasant has disappeared from 46% of the surveyed sites. Our results also revealed a population decline at 46 sites, including protected areas, although population densities in protected areas were higher than those in non-protected areas. Eighty-three, 26 and 20% of the surveyed sites had evidence of poaching, habitat loss and use of poison, respectively, which were the three major threats to this species. To ensure the long-term survival of Reeves's pheasant in China, protection and management need to be enforced in both protected and non-protected areas. We recommend that this species should be upgraded to a national first-level protected species in China and recategorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.


Oryx ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Fanshawe ◽  
Lory H. Frame ◽  
Joshua R. Ginsberg

This paper presents a synopsis of the current status and distribution of the African wild dog Lycaon pictus, outlines reasons for its decline and discusses recommendations to halt or reverse this decline. A recent review of the status of the species provides evidence that it has disappeared or is in decline throughout its range (sub-Saharan Africa). Relict populations with little or no chance of long-term survival are found in several countries including Algeria and Senegal. Countries believed to contain potentially viable populations are, from north to south, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa (only the Kruger National Park).


1985 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 1032-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J O'Connell

There is currently no effective systemic therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer. No definitive controlled data exist that demonstrate a survival benefit for any particular regimen yet developed. A statistically significant short-term survival benefit has been seen in three consecutive GITSG trials using the FAMe regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Occasional long-term responders have been seen with a variety of regimens, but there is no evidence of improved long-term (more than two years) disease-free survival with any regimen reported to date. Continuing research with emphasis on new drug development, innovative alterations in chemotherapy combinations and administration schedules, or entirely new treatment strategies, are clearly required to allow the clinical investigator and the clinical practitioner to achieve their common goal--improved long-term survival for patients with advanced pancreatic and gastric cancer.


Author(s):  
Faisal Rahman ◽  
Jon R. Resar

The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has greatly increased over the past 2 decades and now has overtaken surgical aortic valve replacement. We have limited data regarding the long-term durability of TAVI and the predictors of survival. Calcification, inflammation, fibrous tissue deposition, and mechanical stress are important in the structural deterioration of surgical bioprosthetic valves and likely contribute to TAVI durability. However, TAVI has several differences to surgical valve replacement such as valve preparation, valve to native anatomy interaction, and valve sizing which all likely contribute to durability and long-term survival. Most procedures have been performed on older patients and therefore long-term follow-up studies have noted mortality of approximately 50% at 5 years and 75% by 7 years. Current data are limited by the high mortality of patients who have received TAVI often as a result of age, frailty, and other competing comorbidities. TAVI as compared with surgical valve replacement is associated with several differences including higher conduction abnormalities (i.e., need for pacemakers) and paravalvular leak, both of which may affect long-term morbidity and mortality. In this review, we discuss the current status of our knowledge and identify areas that require further investigation.


1991 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren M. Hern

Native Amazonians have been the victims of two massive historical assaults, one at the time of the Conquest and the other during the Twentieth century. Due to epidemic disease and environmental destruction, many tribes have gone from contact to displacement, decimation, and extinction in a single generation. Deculturation and the construction of large development projects have had catastrophic effects on native populations. In many ways, native Amazonians have experienced a reverse of the "Epidemiologic Transition". Paradoxically, one of the effects of cultural disruption for some native Amazonians has been the loss of cultural controls on fertility with the result that high fertility has become a major health problem. Combined with rapid growth of non-indigenous Amazonian populations, deforestation, and urbanization, native Amazonians face grave obstacles to long-term survival.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBIN LOVERIDGE ◽  
GERARD EDWARD RYAN ◽  
PHEARUN SUM ◽  
OLIVER GRAY-READ ◽  
SIMON P. MAHOOD ◽  
...  

SummaryCambodia supports populations of three Critically Endangered vulture species that are believed to have become isolated from the rest of the species’ global range. Until recently Cambodia’s vulture populations had remained stable. However a recent spike in the number of reports of the use of poisons in hunting practices suggests the need to re-evaluate the conservation situation in Cambodia. Population trend analysis showed that since 2010 populations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus have declined, while the Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris may also have started to decline since 2013. These trends are supported by evidence of reduced nesting success. A survey of veterinary drug availability revealed that diclofenac, the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug responsible for vulture declines in South Asia was not available for sale in any of the 74 pharmacies surveyed. However, a poisoned Slender-billed Vulture tested positive for carbofuran in toxicology tests. This provides the first evidence of a vulture mortality resulting from carbofuran in Cambodia. The findings suggest the urgent need to tackle use of carbamate pesticides in hunting. Proposed conservation actions are: a) prevention of poisoning through national bans on harmful carbamate pesticides and diclofenac and education campaigns to reduce demand and use; b) training of personnel in priority protected areas in detection and response to poisoning incidents; c) maintenance of a safe and reliable food source through vulture restaurants to ensure short-term survival, and d) protection and restoration of large areas of deciduous dipterocarp forests to enable long-term species recovery.


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