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The possibility of a disease affecting 
vulture populations in East Africa is 
real, and cannot be ignored. A crash 
in East Africa's vulture populations 
similar to that in Asia would have 
dire ecological consequences. 
Responding to the Asian Vulture 
Crisis. The Peregrine Fund Kenya 
Project, in collaboration with the 
Museum’s Department of 
Ornithology and Nature Kenya, held 
a very successful workshop on 10 
May 2001 to outline a vulture 
conservation strategy. Key elements 
that emerged from the workshop 
were the need to continue 
monitoring vulture populations in 
Kenya (so that a crash can be 
detected ) and to establish baseline 
hematological values to monitor 
vulture health. 
In March 2002. The Peregrine Fund 
biologists Simon Thomsen and 
Munir Virani conducted extensive 
aerial surveys at three key Rtippell's 
Griffon Vulture sites — Mount 
Ololokwe and two massifs at Shaba 
National Reserve They also trapped 
and released one Riippell's and one 
African White-hacked Vulture to 
obtain blood samples for chemistry 
and serum profiles. Results are 
currently being analyzed. Further 
aerial surveys and trapping have been 
planned for July 2002. For more 
information about The Peregrine 
Fund's projects on vultures please 
check out their website 
w w w.pergerinefund o r g 
conserv vulture results.html 
Vulture Status in Uganda 
A workshop on the status and health 
of vultures wxs also held in Kampala. 
Uganda in April 2001. 
The 31 attendees included biologists, 
veterinarians, academics, 
aviculturists, administrators, a 
journalists and a lawyer, and 
representatives of the newly-revived 
1 'gaud a Society for the Prevention of 
Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) and 
Nature Uganda. 
Workshop contents included 
monitoring populations, the use of 
minimally invasive methods of study 
for live birds, correct sampling 
procedures, and formulating 
protocols and codes of practice for 
work with vultures 
For further information contact 
Dr Christine Drunzou 
Department of Wild Life & 
Animal Resources Management 
( WARM ) 
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 
Makerere University 
PO Box 7062 
Kampala. Uganda 
Email. muk_wannGyahoo.com 
Professor John K Coope r 
And Margaret E Cooper 
Wildlife Health Services 
PO BOX 1 >3. 
Wellingborough 
Northants. NN8 2ZA. UK 
Email: 
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