Wings of hope: Can Ramanagara revive its vulture population? Premium
The Hindu
The nature enthusiasts who gathered at the Ramadevarabetta vulture sanctuary on the morning of September 14 were one lucky batch. What awaited the group was a glorious view of the only pair of critically endangered long-billed vultures in the sanctuary, perched about 3,000 feet high on the crevice of a monolith that’s characteristic of Ramanagara.
The nature enthusiasts who gathered at the Ramadevarabetta vulture sanctuary on the morning of September 14 were one lucky batch. What awaited the group was a glorious view of the only pair of critically endangered long-billed vultures in the sanctuary, perched about 3,000 feet high on the crevice of a monolith that’s characteristic of Ramanagara.
Two smudgy white patches to the naked eyes, they did some sun-basking, engaged in mating, hovered above the group for some time, and flew away finally in the direction of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Last year, we couldn’t spot any. Only by about 2 p.m. they made an appearance, and by then, most people had left,” says Ramakrishnappa M., deputy conservator of forest, Ramanagara.
This year, however, on International Vulture Awareness Day, it seemed like the scavengers in the sanctuary wanted to show the humans a few things themselves.
The first Saturday of September is observed every year as International Vulture Awareness Day. The Karnataka Forest Department and Karnataka Vulture Conservation Trust organised the ‘Nature Walk and Vulture Observation’ to build awareness of the birds whose population in India declined by a staggering 99% between the 1980s and early 2000s.
According to wildlife biologist Darshan C.S., India has nine species of vultures. Of these, four - including long-billed, white-rumped, red-headed and Egyptian vultures - are seen in Karnataka.
In Ramadevarabetta, the permanent residents include the critically endangered long-billed vulture and the endangered Egyptian vulture. Himalayan Griffon and Eurasian Griffon visit the region in winter.
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