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Palearctic Raptor Conservation 

Page under construction 13/12/09

The Palearctic is the largest of the zoogeographical regions and contains all of Europe, Northern Africa, Asia (north of the Himalayas, across to China and including Japan)

For more information on the conservation of British Raptors see the British Raptors and Conservation page.

In this region, the same as nearly all the zooregions throughout the world, it seems to be the larger species of raptor that struggle for an existence in man's changed world. Europe is extremely densely populated and therefore space for wildlife is at a premium and larger birds with larger home ranges are going to the worse off.

One of the largest birds in this region is the European Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) they are mostly restricted to mountainous regions, but have declined due to persecution and the loss of a food supply. Some birds have been released over the past 20 (or so) years, and 'Vulture resturants' help the problem of food shortages for these birds.

In South East Asia three species of vulture have declined at a dramatic rate since the 1990s. This has been due to a steriod called diclofenac. It causes kidney failure in the birds and very quickly leads to death. The species have declined by upto 97% in the last 15 years. For more information see Vulture Conservation Page.

A number of captive breeding centres have now been established in India, Nepal and Pakistan and the Oriental White-backed Vulture has bred for the first time in captivity. This project is still in the very early stages but after populations have been reestablished it is hoped that they will thrive again.