Vulture population rises in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka

Chennai: Vulture population in seven tiger reserves and forest areas in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala is on a steady increase with a recent synchronised survey putting the number of the critically-endangered bird at 390 as against 320 in 2023-24.

The synchronised population estimation was conducted in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and Nellai Forest Division in Tamil Nadu, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, BRT Tiger Reserve, and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala on February 27 and 28, 2025.

The latest exercise showed 390 vultures in the seven zones, a significant increase from 320 reported during the second landscape synchronized population estimation conducted in December 2023, while the first exercise in February 2023 put the number at 246.

A total of 157 vultures were recorded in Tamil Nadu, showing an increasing trend in vulture population in Tamil Nadu with the white-rumped vulture being the most abundant species, accounting for 110 individuals. Following closely are the long-billed vulture with 31 individuals, red-headed vulture with 11 individuals and Egyptian vulture 5 individuals.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is home to a significant breeding population of vultures with red-headed vulture nests being recorded for the first time in southern India. “From the recent survey, there are 8 locations with 60 active nests, hosting an estimated population of 120 vultures,” the survey said.

The census recorded four species -- long-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, Egyptian vulture and white-rumped vulture – in the region with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve recording the highest number of birds at 119, followed by Sathyamangalam (33), Bandipur (77), BRT (8), Nagarahole (23), Wayanad (125), and Nellai (5).

“From the brink of extinction, vulture species are soaring high once again thanks to conservation efforts. The game changer was effective implementation of ban on Diclofenac, a Veterinary drug causing large scale death of vultures and setting up the vulture conservation committee,” Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary (Environment & Forests), said.

Vultures are very crucial for the environment as the birds act as an efficient scavenger due to their nature of eating wild carcasses. They are also known to be curtailing the spread of several contagious diseases.