In a remarkable first, the critically endangered Red-Headed Vulture has been sighted in Kasaragod, Kerala marking a significant addition to the region’s avian biodiversity.

About Red-Headed Vulture

• They are also known as the “Asian King Vulture or Pondicherry Vulture”.
• It is one of the 9 vulture species found in India.
• +Appearance:
  • Dark, medium-sized vulture with a bare reddish head and neck flaps.
  • Weighs approximately 5 kg, average length over 80 cm.
  • Primarily solitary; seen alone or with a mate.
  • Black plumage with a distinctive white patch on the abdomen, visible during flight.
• Distribution: they are found in Central India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Breeding: Breeding takes place between November and January.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule 1.
  • CITES Status: Appendix II

About Vultures in India

• India is home to nine species of vultures, which are categorised as either resident or migratory:
  • Resident species: White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, slender-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, bearded vulture, and Egyptian vulture
  • Migratory species: Cinereous vulture, griffon vulture, and Himalayan vulture 
• The conservation status of these species varies, with some being critically endangered and others near threatened:
  • Critically endangered: White-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, long-billed vulture, and red-headed vulture
  • Endangered: Egyptian vulture
  • Near threatened: Himalayan griffon, cinereous vulture, and bearded vulture 
• Decline in population: Vulture populations have seen a steep decline across South Asia, especially in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
  • The primary cause of this decline, occurring in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was the widespread use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is toxic to vultures.

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Threat faced by Vultures in India

• Poisoning:
  • Use of Veterinary Drugs: The extensive use of veterinary drugs like diclofenac, ketoprofen, and aceclofenac during the late 20th century has severely impacted vulture populations.
  • Toxic Effects: These drugs, used to treat livestock pain and inflammation, are lethal to vultures that consume the carcasses of treated animals.
  • Diclofenac’s Impact: Diclofenac specifically leads to fatal kidney failure in vultures; similar effects have been observed with ketoprofen and aceclofenac.
  • Pesticide Contamination: Vultures often consume carcasses contaminated with pesticides or other toxins.
  • Lead Poisoning: Vultures feeding on animals shot with lead ammunition can suffer from fatal lead poisoning, contributing further to population declines.
• Habitat Loss
  • Urbanization and Deforestation: The expansion of urban areas, deforestation, and agricultural development have resulted in significant habitat loss.
  • Impact on Nesting Sites: Destruction of nesting and roosting sites, as well as food sources, poses a challenge to vulture survival.
• Collisions with Infrastructure
  • Vulnerability: Vultures are prone to collisions with power lines, wind turbines, and other man-made structures.
  • Resulting Injuries and Deaths: Such incidents lead to injuries or fatalities, further reducing their numbers.
• Poaching and Hunting:
  • Cultural Beliefs and Wildlife Trade: In some regions, vultures are hunted due to cultural practices or illegal wildlife trade, exacerbating their decline.
• Diseases:
  • Avian Diseases: Outbreaks of diseases like avian pox and avian flu can severely impact vulture populations, adding to the reduction in their numbers.

Vulture Conservation Efforts in India

• Addressing Drug Threats
  • Diclofenac Ban: India banned the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006 to prevent vulture deaths from kidney failure due to contaminated carcasses.
  • Vulture Action Plan 2020-25: Launched by the Ministry for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to minimize diclofenac use and prevent contamination of vulture food sources.
  • Extended Ban: In August 2023, the use of ketoprofen and aceclofenac was also banned for veterinary purposes to safeguard vultures.
• Captive Breeding and Reintroduction
  • Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBCs): India established a network of breeding centres, the first of which was set up in Pinjore, Haryana, in 2001.
  • Centre Network: Currently, there are nine VCBCs, with three managed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), focused on raising vulture populations for release into the wild.
  • Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre: The Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, was inaugurated in September , 2024 in Bharivaisi, Gorakhpur Forest Division, Uttar Pradesh. 
• Sanctuaries: 
  • India’s only vulture sanctuary is located in Ramanagara, Karnataka, and is called the Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary.
• Vulture Restaurant Initiative
  • Safe Feeding Sites: A ‘Vulture Restaurant’ was set up in Jharkhand’s Koderma district to provide uncontaminated food sources and mitigate the impact of toxic livestock drugs.
• Other Conservation Measures
  • Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH): The ‘Species Recovery Programme’ under IDWH includes vulture conservation efforts.
  • Vulture Safe Zones: These programs are active in eight locations across India, including two sites in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Legal Protection: Species like the Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, and Oriental white-backed vultures are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, while others fall under Schedule IV.
• International Collaboration
  • SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction): A consortium of regional and international organizations dedicated to conservation, awareness campaigns, and fundraising to support vulture recovery in South Asia.

Way Forward for Vulture Conservation

• Regulation of Harmful Drugs: Strengthen the regulation of harmful veterinary drugs and promote the use of safer alternatives. Consider wider bans on drugs such as nimesulide.
• Education and Safe Carcass Disposal: Increase awareness on safe carcass disposal and establish vulture feeding centers with safe food.
• Nesting Site Protection: Identify and protect vulture nesting and roosting areas and create corridors linking feeding and nesting sites.
• Continuous Monitoring: Ensure strict vigilance to eliminate the use of diclofenac in veterinary practices.
• Comprehensive Strategy: Effective vulture conservation requires a multi-faceted approach, and India’s ongoing efforts can serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

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Conclusion

Effective conservation of vultures requires sustained efforts, collaboration, and strict regulation of harmful practices. India’s multifaceted initiatives offer a promising blueprint for reversing the decline and protecting these vital scavengers for ecological balance.

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