Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Status: Endangered (EN – IUCN Red List)

Importance for conservation: About 10% of the Central Asian population lives in Turkmenistan. The species is represented by the nominate subspecies N. p. percnopterus.

Distribution: Greater and Lesser Balkhans, Kopetdag, Badkhyz, Karabil, Koytendag, Uzboy and Garabogaz regions. In the Karakum Desert – remains of ancient sites like Unguz and steep riverbanks of the Amudarya. Outside Turkmenistan: Southern Europe, Africa, Central Asia, India, and Pakistan.

Habitat: Mountainous and plain landscapes, mostly below 1500–1700 m elevation.

Population and trends:

1980s in Badkhyz – 45–50 pairs; by 2009 – 16 pairs; currently 9–10 pairs.

In Kopetdag – no more than 30 pairs (1983–2005), then dropped to 7–8.

From 1990–2010, numbers declined more than 2-fold.

Presently, relatively large populations in Western Kopetdag and Uzboy regions (24% and 41% of total Turkmen population).

4–5 pairs in Northern Turkmenistan (2011–2020).

Key threats:

Decline in wild ungulate populations.

Mortality from electric power lines.

Disturbance in nesting areas.

Biology:

Migratory and nesting bird; occasionally winters.

Lays 2 eggs in the second half of April.

Chicks hatch in early June and fledge in 70–90 days but remain dependent for ~1 month.

Only 18.6% reach adulthood.

Diet consists mainly of carcasses of ungulates.

Conservation measures taken:

Listed in the IUCN Red List (EN).

Included in the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan (since 2011).

Protected in nature reserves: Koytendag, Badkhyz, Kopetdag, Syunt-Hasardag, Gaplangyr.

Included in CITES Appendix II and CMS (Bonn Convention) Appendix II.

Proposed actions:

Grant protected status to Tarimgaya and Zengibaba areas.

Implement bird-safe technologies on power lines.

Strengthen awareness and education.

Continue monitoring of nesting sites.