India’s southernmost vulture population
January 27 , 2024
349 days
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- More than 300 vultures were recorded in the recently completed synchronous vulture survey in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR).
- It is encompassing parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
- Population surveyed;
- 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)
- 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 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 Nelli Forest Division and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
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