Vultures in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve depending on cattle carcasses for food are at risk of poisoning

Vultures in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve depending on cattle carcasses for food are at risk of poisoning

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context: The study by a researcher from the Centre for Wildlife Studies, said the availability of Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs near vulture nesting areas, and the birds’ dependence on cattle carcasses as food sources placed them at great risk; more action is needed for the protection of vulture species.

More on the News:

• The study indicated that out of around 3,349 cattle that had died over a decade, around 27 percent, or 929 cattle were lost due to predation by tigers, leopards and Asiatic wild dogs in the region.
• Literature from earlier studies points to the presence of vultures in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), rather than in the core area, due to less canopy cover. However, due to the spread of invasive species such as Lantana camara and Eupatorium plants, such wide, open expansive areas for vultures has severely diminished.
• In the Nilgiris, parts of Coimbatore and Erode (Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Thengumarahada), four species of vultures: the White-rumped vulture, Long-billed vulture, Asian king vulture and Egyptian vulture are spotted frequently, with only the Egyptian vulture not known to be utilising the landscape over the last few decades for nesting.
• There is significant awareness among residents and pharmacists that the use of diclofenac is banned, there is unfortunately not the same amount of awareness towards the sale of other harmful NSAIDs such as nimesulide, flunixin and aceclofenac.
• The continued sale of harmful NSAIDs in the region poses a serious risk to southern India’s largest vulture population.

Vultures

• It is one of the 22 species of large carrion-eating birds that live predominantly in the tropics and subtropics.
• India is home to 9 species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.

• Habitat: The preferred habitats of the Vulture are deserts, savannas and grassland near a water source. It also inhabits open mountain ranges up to 3,000 metres above sea level.
• Distribution:Vultures are widely distributed, but they are absent from Australia and most oceanic islands.

Features:

• Vultures are medium- to large-sized birds of prey. They are known for eating carrion (the bodies of dead animals).
• Baldhead and sometimes bald throat (help in regulating their body temperature)
• Behaviour:They soar in circles high above the Earth’s surface. They use the rising air currents to maintain their elevation.
• Food habits: Most of the vultures have very broad food habits. They will consume carrion, garbage, and even excrement. But rarely do they prey upon live animals. A few occasionally take helpless prey such as lambs and tortoises or newborn calves.

Significance:

• Their habit of eating carrion is extremely beneficial to humans. As it has a considerable effect on reducing the spread of diseases. Some of which can be fatal.

Conservation Initiatives:

• National Board for Wildlife(NBWL) has approved an Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025. Key highlights of the plan include,
  • Vulture Conservation Centre: Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will get a vulture conservation and breeding centre.
  • Vulture Safe zone:Establishment of at least one vulture-safe zone in each state for the conservation of the remnant populations in that state.
  • Rescue Centres: Establishment of four rescue centres, in Pinjore (Haryana), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Guwahati (Assam) and Hyderabad (Telangana). There are currently no dedicated rescue centres for treating vultures.
  • Toxic Drugs: A system to automatically remove a drug from veterinary use if it is found to be toxic to vultures with the help of the Drugs Controller General of India.
  • Vultures Census:Coordinated nationwide vulture counting involving forest departments, the Bombay Natural History Society, research institutes, nonprofits and members of the public. This would be for getting a more accurate estimate of the size of vulture populations in the country.
  • Database on Threats to Vulture:A database on emerging threats to vulture conservation including collision and electrocution, unintentional poisoning.