Meet the winner of the 2023 Marion Paviour Award

Congratulations to Ivan Oruka – the winner of our 2023 Marion Paviour Award!

Ivan is currently studying at Gulu University, Uganda, undertaking a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management.

Ivan is currently undertaking a project that is leading the way for research on Critically Endangered Rüppell’s Vultures. His work is focused in the Luku Central Forest Reserve, where he is studying the only known breeding colony of these important birds in the entire country of Uganda.

This project is the first of its kind in the country – trailblazing the way forward for future conservation efforts to conserve this species of vulture. Ivan is currently gathering data to determine the size of the breeding population within this area, identify what seems to influence which cliff ledges the vultures use to nest on, and finally, what their breeding success rate is and what could influence their success.

Our Marion Paviour Award grant has supported Ivan with this research. These funds have allowed him to cover costs associated with travel to the reserve, some of the equipment he is using to carry out his research, and local costs to cover permits for access to protected forest sites.

On winning the award, Ivan commented:

“To receive this award from you, joy and happiness are an understatement. This award is a timely fuel to my work and just like my birds of interest, my research activities are definitely going to soar. Because I am studying the last members of the species, this award is a dawn of hope to them. In fact, I dedicate it to my birds. All together for community transformation to save the plight of vultures.”

Since receiving the award, Ivan has collected four months of data, and is beginning to interpret what the research can tell us about these precious birds. He has also observed new chicks at the nest sites over the winter months – fantastic news!

Keep your eyes peeled as we continue to share updates from Ivan’s work conserving these Critically Endangered vultures.