Wayanad survey reveals significant rise in vulture population

2025 vulture population survey in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary shows promising increase, highlighting successful conservation efforts in the region.

The 2025 synchronised vulture population estimation, the third of its kind in the South Indian landscape since 2023, has yielded promising results, particularly in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The survey identified 113 vultures across the sanctuary, which is quite a promising number considering the figures from previous years.

“We had only 61 vultures identified in the survey in 2023, and it dipped to 53 in 2024. This time, the numbers have more than doubled, which is a sign of a healthy ecosystem,” said Jayan Sabari, Forest Range Officer of Sulthan Bathery, who coordinated the survey.

The survey was carried out in 18 camps, with each team consisting of an expert, an amateur, a camera person, and at least one Forest department official. Of the 18 camps established for the region-wide survey, vultures were sighted in 13, with all 12 camps within Wayanad recording their presence.

The survey, aimed at assessing the health and distribution of these crucial scavengers, revealed the presence of three vulture species in Wayanad: the critically endangered White-rumped vulture, the endangered Red-headed vulture, and the near-threatened Indian vulture.

The fact that all 12 camps within the sanctuary recorded sightings is a testament to the ongoing conservation efforts in the region. The highest concentrations of vultures were observed in the Muthanga, Goloor, and Doddakulassi camps. The preliminary count for Wayanad alone totalled 476 vulture sightings. Specifically, initial figures indicate over 90 White-rumped vultures, 17 Red-headed vultures, and 6 Indian vultures were recorded in Wayanad.

However, the final count of the vulture population will be announced only after the comprehensive compilation of data from Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. This synchronised effort across the three States is crucial for a complete understanding of the vulture population in the South Indian landscape, Mr. Jayan said.

The synchronised population estimation is a vital tool for conservationists, providing valuable data to track population trends and inform future conservation strategies.