Himalayan Raptor Recue - The only dedicated bird of prey rescue facility in Nepal
Himalayan Raptor Rescue is a non profit, privately run
and almost self funded Bird of prey rescue, rehabilitation and release
facility. HRR was set up in 2001 and is based in Pokhara, Nepal. Our
primary objective is to care for sick, injured and orphaned birds of
prey with a view to rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild
where possible.
Parahawking supports Himalayan Raptor Rescue and Vulture Conservation projects in Nepal. Please make a donation.
Please go to the dedicated website for detailed information - www.himalayanraptorrescue.org
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Sunday, 03 March 2013 |
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Flood damage repair and rebuilding
In May 2012, a massive avalanche crashed down from the Annapurna Mountains causing a devastating flood on the Seti River. The raging waters of the upper Seti swept through riverside settlements for nearly 30 km finally coming to rest all the way into Pokhara City. Along the way, many people lost their lives, entire villages were destroyed and livestock was washed away.
One of the victims of this flood was the Ghawchok vulture Restaurant, the Vulture conservation project that Parahawking is a patron of. Much hard work, funds and dedication by the local community have gone onto developing this important vulture conservation project over the last few years. The Pokhara Valley is fortunate enough to still witness 8 of the 9 species of Nepal's vultures. When the region was declared a Diclofenac Free Zone back in 2009, it was vitally important that measures were put in place to protect the remaining birds and to safeguard their future. The Vulture Restaurant has proved to be an effective way to ensure that local vultures are feeding from safe Diclofenac free food in addition to allowing people to witness the birds feeding from a nearby viewing hide.
 The flood caused extensive damage to the site where the Vulture Restaurant is located. Much of the access route to the feeding area and viewing hide was washed away (see picture) and the boundary wall was completely demolished. When a torrent of water from the Seti river broke it's banks and reclaimed the community forest land where the cows were grazing, approx 30 cows were also swept away. Fortunately the viewing hide was undamaged, as was the cow shed.
The Ghachowk community who run the project have now begun the process of rebuilding and repairing but it's a costly exercise. As patrons of the project, Parahawking has pledged to contribute by helping fund the rebuilding of the boundary wall and repairing the access route. We have promised a contribution of 220,000 nrps (approx $2500 USD) over the next two months. The first instalment of 100,000 nrps (approx $1200 USD) has already been handed over and work has begun in earnest.
Parahawking is dedicated to supporting the ongoing vulture conservation effort in Nepal but it is only possible because of the support we receive from our passengers. 1000 nrps (approx $12 USD) from every Parahawking Tandem Experience goes directly towards vital conservation projects such as this. Please keep flying with us so we can continue to help prevent the potential extinction of Nepal's majestic vultures.
Thank you.
Scott
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Thursday, 08 December 2011 |
 A story recently came to my attention that was quite disturbing. 5 'birds' were recently seized by local police at the Nepal/India border, they were confiscated by officials but tragically all died that night. We don't know the full details so it's very difficult to say what they died of. I was sent pictures of the seized birds which are all clearly Saker Falcons. My guess is that they were being trafficked to the middle east for falconry purposes. The pictures clearly show that these birds were alive at the time of the capture so to allow all these Falcons to die is simply unacceptable.
In light of this recent tragic event, Himalayan Raptor Rescue have partnered with Friends of Nature a local NGO in Nepal to conduct a full research into the trafficking of Birds of Prey from Nepal. This research is sanctioned by the Government of Nepal:
Full details are below:
The estimated cost to conduct this research is NPR 40,000 (approx £300)
We are looking for donations to help us fund this vital research into this unnecessary and illiegal trade of birds of prey.
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Sunday, 07 November 2010 |
As the vultures of Nepal are still declining, awareness of the problem
and conservation efforts are increasing. The community of Pokhara, with
financial help from Parahawking flights, Himalayan Raptor Rescue, other
donations and funding from local and international organizations, has
created a vulture safe zone and vulture restaurant just outside of the
city in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
A few of us from
Himalayan Raptor Rescue had a chance to go see the site, and see the
progress they have made with ours and other generous donations and
grants. Progress was evident as soon as we got down into the river
valley and we saw the many white-backed, Himalayan and red-headed
vultures roosting in the trees and flying over-head. One of the cows had
died that morning, so the vultures in the area were all happily
well-fed.
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Wednesday, 08 September 2010 |
 We are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with a company called Himalayan Sky Safaris - not to be confused with our own Parahawking Sky Safari adventure - in order to promote their unique Paragliding holidays in northern India. Run by renowned Paraglider pilots, Eddie Colfox, John Silvester and Jim Mallinson, Himalayan Sky Safaris are offering a unique brand of aerial adventure in the high Indian Himalayas like no other.
The Himalayan Sky Safari team have joined forces, using their decades of knowledge and experience and put together 2 five day Tandem Safaris
that take you over snow capped mountains, hidden villages, remote
temples and shepherd camps, giving you a unique glimpse of this
fascinating region... and the best part is that you don't need to be a
pilot to take part, you will be a passenger for the entire trip. They
also do a 7 day Pilot Safari for the experienced pilots among you.
This remote region of India's high Himalayas is home to some of the biggest birds of prey in Asia including the Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Lammergier and even the mighty Golden Eagle.
What's in it for us? Well it seems that the guys at Himalayan Sky Safaris and myself are a like minded bunch, they want to do their bit to help protect Asia's vanishing vultures. They have agreed to donate 15% of the cost of each trip to Himalayan Raptor Rescue . This only applies to trips that we have had a hand in selling.
IMPORTANT!
Here's the important part - If want to take part in a trip of a lifetime and you want to help the Asia's Vultures, please ensure that when you contact Himalayan Sky Safari via this site tell them where you heard about their company. This way 15% of the cost of the trip will go directly to Himalayan Raptor Rescue.
For more detailed information, go to - www.himalayanskysafaris.com
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 |
Himalayan Raptor Rescue rely solely on private funding, donations and sponsorships and the cost of medicine, housing, food and transportation can often be expensive.
Here is an indication of some of the costs at Himalayan Raptor Rescue:
- Food for one bird for one month: 1,200 rupees (approx. $13 or 10 Euros)
- Medical costs per month: 4,000 rupees (approx. $50 or 40 Euros)
- Hired staff per month: 37,000 rupees (approx. $460 or 370 Euros)
- Building of a new aviary for 1 bird: 43,000 rupees (approx. $540 or 430 Euros)
- Vulture conservation work: We can do as much as available donation funds allow
The time spent on training the birds and keeping them well and happy is impossible to put a price on, as is the second chance we give the many birds that come to us with injuries which can later be released back into the wild.
One of the ways you can help is by sponsoring one of our birds. Your sponsorship money will go directly towards the day to day costs of the care of your chosen bird. You can also buy a sponsorship as a gift for a friend.
1 year sponsorship - 50 Euros
You will get
- Sponsorship certificate
- Subscription to the Parahawking newsletter
- Listed as a sponsor on the Himalayan Raptor Rescue website
- 10% discount on a Falconry lesson
- 10% discount on a Parahawking flight
Please go to the Himalayan Raptor Rescue website for more information - www.himalayanraptorrescue.org
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Monday, 27 April 2009 |
 Thanks to all those that sent donations for the building of the new rehabilitaion aviary. We were originally looking to raise €1000, so far we have raised €873 and as you can see, building has begun. All materails have been purchased and we are now completing the remainder of the work ourselves. The costs are a little higher then we first estimated, so far we have spent €1100 and we esitimate that a further €100 will be needed to complete the aviary.
We were also hoping to have it completed by now but progress has been hampered by the continuing power cuts and pre-monsoon afternoon storms. However, with a few extra helping hands, we plan to be finished in less than a week.
You can still make a donation to help us reach our (new) target of €1200. Every contribution really helps no matter how big or small.
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Thursday, 12 March 2009 |
 We are currently looking for donations and sponsors to fund the building of a new rehabilitation aviary. This aviary will form part of a new project called the Raptor Rehoming scheme.
We are looking to raise €1000 initially to cover the cost of building materials. Every penny you contribute will make a huge difference to us so please help by making a small donation.
Quite often birds are brought in to us with injuries so severe that
they cannot...
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Sunday, 22 February 2009 |
 Back in December we were handed an injured Steppe Eagle, I'm pretty sure that he was a young male bird, no more than 2 years old as he still had signs of his immature plumage. This beautiful bird had suffered a broken wing. We are not sure of the exact circumstances however it was handed to us by some local lads who suspiciously claimed they had found him in the woods. The injury was very characteristic of a stone or stick strike, the wound was fresh, like it had just happened, otherwise the bird was healthy, in perfect feather condition and well fed. Steppe Eagles are predatory raptors but they are also opportunists. In a heavily rural populated country such as Nepal where most people keep chickens, it's likely that this bird had seen a chance to grab an easy meal and was caught in the act.
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Sunday, 22 February 2009 |
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Info to go here
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Sunday, 22 February 2009 |
 Black Kites are the most common bird of prey in Nepal so it's no surprise that we get quite a few handed in to us.
Over the years we have rescued more than 20 Black Kites. Some are brought in with minor injuries or illnesses. They may have eaten some poisoned food that was intended for something else, or suffered injuries at the hands of some local kids with catapults. Catapulting birds is the sport of choice here in Nepal, and no species is spared, if it's in range, it's a target.
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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
Things are looking grim for the Vultures of Asia.
The following information is taken from the Vulture Rescue website - www.vulturerescue.org
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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
 Vulture Culture! - We witness the most amazing Vulture feeding scene ever.
On an early February morning on the outskirts of Pokhara Nepal, our
team of Parahawkers, a film crew and an RSPB research biologist were
witness to one of the best Raptor encounters of our lives...
Take a look at the most amazing vulture pictures . Click here . Warning! not for the faint hearted.
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Conservation 
