Jorbeer Conservation Reserve

The Jorbeer Sanctuary is a landfill for the carcasses of cattle and camels. Bikaner Camel Research Center is nearby. Migratory birds such as vultures, eagles and kites from the colder northern regions find this an ideal breeding ground during the winter. They arrive from October and stay here until they fly off after February. There is plenty of food for the scavengers. The place looks well protected from land sharks with a good sturdy fence. I'm sure there are other access roads to this place, even if I haven't found any.

Some of the birds commonly seen here are: Migratory birds such as: Eurasian Griffon from Spain and Turkey, Cinereous from Mongolia and Tibet, Himalayan Griffon from Central Asia.

Other species are: Egyptian vulture, king vulture, black kite, steppe eagle, great spotted eagle, great spotted eagle, imperial eagle, white-tailed sea eagle, etc.

Smaller birds such as the black drongo, northern wheatear and shrike also feed on these dead animals here. They must have adapted to these eating habits, I thought.

Other Animals…

While approaching the place we sighted several holes on the ground big enough for a snake or a rodent. Small rodent called the Desert Jerd thrive here. You have to walk carefully lest you slip your foot in to one of them and return with a sprain in your leg.

So what happens during summers when these migratory birds are not there to feed on the carcasses? Local dogs feed on these carcasses.

This is one of the reasons why stray dogs flourish here. They can get ferocious over sharing of food and often attack the migratory birds.