Analysis on Indian Vultures

Vultures are enormous, majestic raptors who, because of their scavenging behaviours, are often referred to as nature’s own disposal system. Until recently, India was home to a significant number of vultures, some of which flourished in close proximity to human settlements, scavenging in local carcass dumps.

In the 1990s, however, there was a significant drop in the vulture population. For several species, the population of these once numerous and widespread raptors has plummeted by almost 99 percent. The anti-inflammatory medication diclofenac, which is used to treat animals, proved fatal to vultures. Since then, veterinary Diclofenac formulations have been outlawed, and the numbers of some vultures have stabilized, and in some cases, recovered.

Indian Vulture: 

A medium-sized vulture with a light brown color. On a dark head and neck, it has whitish feathers, a pale bill, and a pale collar that is more evidence behind the neck. The youngster has a darker bill, more white feathering on the head and neck, and overall browner plumage with light streaks on the breast and belly. The pale underparts and underwing contrast with the dark flight feathers in flight. The species nests in colonies on cliffs and ruins, as well as in trees on rare occasions. Indian Vultures are similar to Slender-billed Vultures, except they are not as lanky, have a whiter bill, and have very small ear holes.

Habitat and Distribution: 

Indian vultures are commonly seen near human habitation in cities, towns, and villages. They are found in temperate climates, usually in plains but also in steep areas. Gyps bengalensis prefers open areas and fields with a few scattered trees. Indian vultures eat largely on the ground, but they also roost and nest in trees and cliffs, and they spend a lot of time soaring on wind currents in search of carrion. The average height of a nest is 2 to 18 meters above the ground.

Vultures may be found on all continents save Antarctica and Australia, with the exception of Antarctica and Australia. NWVS can only be found on the continents of North and South America, whereas OWVS can be found on the three landmasses that connect them, namely Asia, Europe, and Africa. Gyps Indicus may be found in practically all habitat types in India, which are the plains, foothills, and higher altitudinal zones, ranging from sea level to 4500 meters above sea level. 

Diet and Nutrition: 

These vultures devour mostly cattle and human remains in India. When these vultures feed, they use their beaks to break up the flesh and begin nibbling on the pliable flesh towards the tail. They fight between themselves for food, kicking and flapping their wings to scare away other vultures. If given the opportunity, white-rumped vultures will gorge themselves on carrion, rendering them unable to fly due to the amount of food consumed.

Nine species of old-world Vulture: 

1. Griffon Vulture -Gyps Fulvus.
2. Indian Vulture -Gyps Indicus.
3. Himalayan Vulture -Gyps himalayensis.
4. Bearded Vulture -Gypaetus Barbatus.
5. Slender-Billed Vulture -Gyps tenuirostris.
6. White-rumpedped Vulture -Gyps bengalensis.
7. Cinereous Vulture -Aegypius Monachus.
8. Egyptian Vulture -Neophron Percnopterus.
9. Red-Headed Vulture -Sarcogyps Calvus.

Threats and Status: 

Unintentional and intentional poisoning, mortality due to power grid infrastructure (collision or electrocution), reduction in the food supply, diseases, habitat loss (fragmentation and degradation), disruption from human activities, and climate change are the greatest threats to the vulture population.

Conservation efforts: 

1. Vulture Action Plan 2020-25: Recently, the National Board for Wild Life adopted the National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation for a period of five years 2020-25. New veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications should be evaluated on vultures before being commercially distributed, according to the idea.
2. Vulture Care Centre (VCC): The JCBC was previously known as the Vulture Care Centre (VCC), which was founded as part of the UK Government’s ‘Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species’ to research the severe fall in resident vulture species.
3. Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC): In India, there are currently nine Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centers, three of which are directly managed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The VCBCS’ mission is to not only care for and breed vultures in captivity but also to release them into the wild.

More than 700 vultures have been counted in these VCBCs. The White-backed, long-billed, and slender-billed vultures are the three endangered vulture species bred in the VCBC.

Conclusion: 

As a result, it is obvious and critical to identify and comprehend vulture risks, habitat preferences, and habitat consumption prior to the implementation of any management plan to conserve these birds. The reduction in vultures is attributed to both natural environmental changes and human-caused concerns, according to the study. The vultures have also been harmed by the sanitary handling of carcasses in order to avoid negative outcomes. Given the continued reduction in vulture populations, the research suggests that vultures be monitored on a regular basis across India to assess population trends and identify potential dangers or cause variables so that immediate and accurate conservative action can be taken.