Vulture population in Western Ghats down from 10,000 to hundreds

MYSURU: With the number of vultures nestling amid Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu dramatically plunging from about 10,000 two decades ago to a few hundreds now, the state forest department and Wildlife Conservation Society have undertaken a survey in the tiger reserves to ascertain the reasons for the worrying development.
The survey was conducted in the forests spread across the three states to count the vulture population. In Karnataka, the survey was in Bandipur, BRT and Nagarahole tiger reserves.
Earlier, the three states used to conduct separate surveys in different periods, but now they are holding the synchronized survey to avoid duplication of data in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala and Karnataka's three tiger reserves, said sources.
Exposure to diclofenac caused decline
The survey started on Saturday morning and concluded on Sunday evening, Bandipur Tiger Reserve director Ramesh Kumar told TOI. The vulture population has declined during the 2000s when the species was exposed to anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac that was used as a painkiller for cattle after preying on it. However, the vulture population started to increase in recent years after the government banned the drug, according to project director of BRT Tiger Reserve Deep J Contractor. White-rump vultures were found during a recent bird survey, she said.
The survey is conducted after providing all necessary training to participants of the survey on Friday at Bandipur after dividing its landscape where the bird species are frequently sighted in over 40 locations, including its nesting places, sightings to prey dead animals and other locations. More than 200 members, including experts and volunteers, were involved in the survey.
Each location was monitored by a three-member team, comprising a vulture expert, a forest beat officer, volunteer or a forest watcher.
Different species of vultures like white-rumped vultures, red-headed vultures and long-billed vultures have been found in the Nagarhole and Bandipur which shares its landscape with Madumalai of Tamil Nadu and Wayanad of Kerala. A large number of vultures were found during the death of elephant Bogeshwara near Kabini backwaters last year, he said.