India’s southernmost vulture population stands at 320 individuals
The Hindu
Over 300 vultures recorded in recent survey in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, with highest numbers in Tamil Nadu.
More than 300 vultures were recorded in the recently completed synchronous vulture survey in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) encompassing parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, according to data from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
According to the data, the Mudumalai-Sathyamangalam-Bandipur-Wayanad complex of the NBR accounted for over 82% of the vultures recorded during the survey. The highest number was recorded in the Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves in Tamil Nadu.
The survey was conducted in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, the Billigiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve, the Nagerhole Tiger Reserve, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nellai Forest Division.
A total of 217 critically endangered white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis), 47 long-billed vultures (Gyps indicus), 50 Asian king vultures (Sarcogyps calvus), four endangered Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) and two “near threatened” Himalayan griffon vultures (Gyps himalayensis) were recorded during the survey.
The NBR is home to three resident species: the white-rumped, long-billed and Asian king vultures. It is also home to the last viable populations of the three species south of the Vindhya Range.
In a statement, the Forest Department said the number of vultures had increased since the last synchronous vulture census, conducted in February 2023, when 246 vultures were recorded. In the most recent survey, conducted in December 2023, the number of vultures recorded had increased to 320 individuals.
The four Egyptian vultures and two Himalayan griffon vultures were sighted in the Nellai Forest Division and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
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