All Asian vultures are critically endangered due to an extreme sensitivity to a bovine painkiller called diclofenac which causes renal failure and death. Up until the 1980's vultures were a common sight throughout South and South East Asia. Now 99% have disappeared. Cambodia is one of the last strongholds of vultures in Asia, Due to a lack of diclofenac. Because of a lack of large mammals on the landscape most vulture populations in Asia depend on Supplemental carcasses from which to feed. THese photos were taken at one of these feedings, at the Western Siem Pang Protected Forest in the Far NOrth of Cambodia.
"Traumatic Birth" Emerging from inside of the carcass a juvenile white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is immediately assaulted by another white-rumped while a slender-billed (Gyps tenuirostris) looks on, Western Siem Pang, Cambodia, 2014
"Vulturine Heart" A slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and a white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) wrestle atop the carcass. Western Siem Pang Forest, Cambodia, 2014
"Challenging the Challenger" Two adult slender-billed vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) clash in a cloud of dust. Western Siem Pang, Cambodia, 2014
