Ivan is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management at Gulu University in Uganda. He is passionate about ecology and the conservation of wild flora and fauna. His current research focuses on the breeding dynamics of the Critically Endangered Rüppell’s vulture at Uganda’s only identified breeding site. This work aims to generate vital insights to support the conservation of this species and its fragile habitat.
The Ruppell‘s vulture is a critically endangered species (Birdlife Africa, 2014; BirdLife International, 2021). Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), a key biodiversity hotspot is a well-known foraging habitat for approximately 209 Ruppell‘s Griffon vultures (Pomeroy, Shaw, Opige, Kaphu, Ogada & Virani, 2015a). However, these vultures do not nest and breed in the park, but rather on distant small number of cliffs located more than 60 km north of the park (Ochanda & Kigoolo, 2023). As yet, there is currently no published information on their population and breeding success from there (Ochanda & Kigoolo, 2023; Ssemmanda & Plumptre, 2011). Furthermore, information on nest distribution patterns and nest site selection are largely absent, with most studies on breeding status coming from neighboring Kenya and Tanzania (Houston, 1974; Virani et al., 2012). As a result, there is an urgent need for information on the abundance and breeding dynamics of this vulture in order to develop long-term conservation plans for their natural habitat based on sound science. It is upon this basis that this research study was conceived to explore the factors that influence the breeding dynamics of Ruppell‘s Vulture at Ngolonyako breeding site, Luku Central Forest Reserve, Arua District, Uganda.