Gyps Indicus Research Articles

Distribution and Nesting Sites of Critically Endangered Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) in Barmer District of Rajasthan, India

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the distribution and characteristics of nesting sites of Long-billed Vultures in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. The scientific study will be added to the conservation of the Indian Vulture, commonly known as the Long-billed Vulture (LBV) for saving the environment, ecological balance, and sustainability on a global platform. Methods: We investigated the distribution and nesting sites of LBV in the Barmer district by using direct or headcount methods (Supported by photographic and videographic counting). Findings: During the study period, a total of 12 sites were recorded, out of 7 nesting sites of LBV were observed with 14 nests recorded, and the characteristic nesting site was seen in hilly areas. In Barmer district 43 individuals of LBV were recorded in 12 sites with an average of 3.58 ± 2.57. Novelty: This study provides better zoological observational data on LBV about population and nesting sites in respective study areas. The finding of new nesting sites and nests in the hilly region of Barmer district (Aadupura Hills, Jhanpura, Bhilo ki Dhani, Gogaji Temple Hills, Juna Patrasar, Viratra Mata Hills, and Balera) is relevant to scholarly research. As we conclude the earlier studies suggest a higher population of LBV in the study area, but the present investigation reports a much smaller population than that reported earlier. The suggested study is fully relevant to the environment, ecological balance, and sustainability. Keywords: Long­-billed Vulture, Distribution, Nesting sites, Hilly region, Barmer

Abundance and age structure of critically endangered long-billed (Gyps indicus) and white-rumped (G. bengalensis) vultures at the breeding colonies of Kaghaznagar Forest Division and its adjoining areas in the Deccan Plateau, India

Abundance and age structure of critically endangered long-billed (Gyps indicus) and white-rumped (G. bengalensis) vultures at the breeding colonies of Kaghaznagar Forest Division and its adjoining areas in the Deccan Plateau, India

Monitoring observations of the southernmost breeding population of Long-billed Vultures Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786) (Aves: Acciptriformes: Accipitridae) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

The Long-billed Vulture (LBV) population was systematically monitored across four nesting colonies in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) throughout three extended breeding seasons. Breeding success rates between years ranged from 83.33% in 2018–2019 and 62.5% in 2020–2021. Nesting was monitored at the cliff sites, consistent with prior research. Overall population fluctuations were minimal, varying between 21 individuals in 2020–2021, 17 individuals in 2018–2019, and 16 individuals in 2019–2020. There was an apparent impact of forest fires and other human disturbance activities, and certain proactive conservation measures are proposed to help address these. There was indirect evidence of other threats including poison baits targeting wild carnivores and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being widely available for use in domestic livestock. The study endorses the approach of establishing vulture-safe zones, which focus on addressing the local threats. This includes raising awareness about wildfire management, controlling toxic NSAIDs availability that are harmful to vultures, discouraging the illegal use of poison-baits, and highlighting the necessity of monitoring threats posed by power infrastructure. Due to the high mobility of LBVs, all these threats need addressing through large-scale vulture safe zone work (up to 100 km radius) surrounding the breeding colonies to secure the LBV’s long-term survival. These conservation actions are urgently needed.

Population, nesting characteristics, and breeding ecology of the critically endangered Gyps indicus in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, South India

The species extinction rate has recently accelerated worldwide and is a thousand times higher than through natural processes alone. Small, isolated populations are especially vulnerable to extinction due to deterministic and stochastic threats. Hence, the conservation of such populations is challenging. The present study from 2015 to 2021 aimed to understand the population, nesting characteristics, and breeding ecology of the country’s southernmost population of Gyps indicus in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, South India. The population estimation was performed on the roosting and nesting sites of Gyps indicus in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. To study the nesting characteristics and breeding ecology, each nesting colony was systematically visited four times per month during the breeding season (October to May). Assessments of threats were estimated during the field visits. In 2015–2021, four breeding sites were identified. Two nesting sites were identified in 2016 and two more in 2017 and 2020. The mean altitude of the nesting sites was 1122.25 ± 170.06 m a.s.l., ranging from 821 m a.s.l. to 1600 m a.s.l. In the Protected Area, two nests were located on east-facing exposure, one nest on southeast-facing exposure, and one nest on south-facing exposure. In terms of population composition, the mean number of adult individuals steadily increased from 9.5 ± 0.46 in 2016 to 14.08 ± 0.67 in 2021. Consequently, the mean total number of individuals per colony increased from 13.66 ± 0.56 in 2016 to 27.83 ± 0.62 in 2021. A total of 40 (in average, 6.66 ± 0.49 pairs/year) territorial pairs with occupied nests were observed in 2015–2021. Of them, 31 (in average, 5.16 ± 0.30 pairs/year) breeding pairs had laid eggs. Successful incubation was recorded, and the mean incubation period was 63.64 ± 1.74 days. Out of 31 incubated nests, 23 fledglings (3.83 ± 0.47 individuals/year) successfully came out with 74% breeding success. The entire nesting period was 128.43 ± 1.16 days. In total, out of 17 failed breeding attempts nine (53%) were detected before egg laying, and eight (47%) were found during incubation. There were no significant differences between nests abandoned before and after egg laying (t = 0.4152, p > 0.05). During the breeding seasons of 2015–2017, a human-made forest fire posed a serious threat to nesting colonies of Gyps indicus, resulting in no observed nesting. A species-specific conservation-oriented action programme is necessary to secure this last southernmost wild viable Gyps indicus population in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. At this juncture, we highly recommend declaring the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve as a «Vulture Sanctuary» to provide a legal protection of the Gyps indicus population living in the studied area.

Breeding success status of the ‘critically endangered’ Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) in selective microhabitats of Southern Rajasthan, India

Present study was carried out in two different microhabitats for of Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) nesting colonies, viz.,Kailashpuri village of Udaipur district and Chittorgarh fort of Chittorgarh district, from September 2020 to June 2024. Road transect surveys in various regions of Southern Rajasthan identified breeding sites, along with the presence of vulture guano or excreta droplets on rocky cliff areas.Every week, we visited both sites to evaluate the hatchling success rates of the Indian vultures, using binoculars and long-distance zooming cameras for observations and photographs of various breeding parameters.We found that all vultures nest on rocky cliffs, as well as historical monuments of Chittorgarh Fort. The Indian vulture’s breeding season spans from October to April or May.Indian vultures lay on one egg per year or every breeding season and several times also utilized old nests for the nesting. Several observations were made for breeding aspects, including active or occupied nests, nests with incubating positions or eggs, nests containing hatchlings, and the nestling stage; the number of fledglings in the entire nesting colony; and finally determined the hatchling success rate in different years.In Kailashpuri village nesting colonies, hatchling success ranged between 42.85% to 83.33%, while in the Chittorgarh Fort area, hatchling success ranged between 60% to 66.66%. The number of active nests and hatchling success rate vary from year to year and vulture colony to colony. The spatial-temporal variation of Indian vultures influences their hatchling success rate. During breeding seasons, the presence of adult vulture individuals in particular nestling colonies may cause variations in hatchling success rate. We also observed juvenile and adult Indian vulture mortality in both nesting colonies.

Recent trends in populations of Critically Endangered Gyps vultures in India

Summary This paper reports results from the eighth of a series of road transect surveys of Gyps vultures conducted across northern, central, western, and north-eastern India since the early 1990s. Populations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Indian Vulture G. indicus, and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris declined rapidly, beginning in the mid-1990s. The principal cause of the declines was poisoning due to widespread veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac on cattle. The results of the current survey suggest that, while populations of all three species of vulture remain at a low level with no signs of recovery, they appear to have been approximately stable since veterinary use of diclofenac was banned in the mid-2000s. Population trends in India, where the illegal use of diclofenac and legal use of other toxic NSAIDs continues, are compared with more positive trends in Nepal, where the veterinary use of toxic NSAIDs appears to have been reduced to a low level.

Breeding ecology of critically endangered Long-billed vulture Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786) and White-rumped vulture G. bengalensis (Gmelin, 1788) in Kaghaznagar Forest Division and its adjoining areas in the Deccan Plateau, India

Breeding ecology of critically endangered Long-billed vulture Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786) and White-rumped vulture G. bengalensis (Gmelin, 1788) in Kaghaznagar Forest Division and its adjoining areas in the Deccan Plateau, India

Diversity and conservation status of avifauna in the Surguja region, Chhattisgarh, India

This study is aimed at updating the avifauna status and to assess major threats in six districts of the Surguja region of northern Chhattisgarh. The avifauna of this region is less studied as compared to the central and southern regions of the state. Chhattisgarh has unique and important habitats for bird species. The geographical region has two major forest types which provide a suitable habitat for many terrestrial and numerous wetlands that support aquatic bird species. The northern region is a basin of rivers Hasdeo and Rihand, prominently forested and a major coal belt. In this study, planned and opportunistic surveys were done in different seasons, and data was collected from 1995 to 2019. In the northern Chhattisgarh region,we have compiled all-district data and a total of 361 bird species were recorded. The maximum number of bird species were recorded from Koriya 318, followed by Raigarh 262, Surguja 162, Balrampur 260, Surajpur 208, and Jashpur 254. Species recorded include three Critically Endangered (CR), two Endangered (EN), five Vulnerable (VU), and 13 Near Threatened (NT). Nesting of Lesser Adjutant, Indian Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, and sighting of Sarus Crane in Surguja region is reported. The study also revealed the presence of nine Himalayan and sub-Himalayan species. Comparing with previous studies 117 new species were found. Chhattisgarh has ample potential and opportunities for new records as many regions have not yet been adequately explored, it can be a key birding hub for bird lovers as well as the scientific community. The large-scale mining-oriented activities, hunting, and poaching are posing serious threats, which will have a direct or indirect, impact on the future of the avifauna of the region.

Assessing the accuracy of population estimation methods for vulture populations: a case study from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Two resident and two local migratory vulture species are reported in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The early population estimates from the region are either scanty or crude. Vulture population estimation was performed using three different methods based on their breeding seasons and regional movements between 2019 and 2021. Road transect counts, nest counts, and carcass monitoring counts were used for population assessments. The road transect survey and nest site counting during the breeding season were conducted in all three years, while carcass monitoring was done in 2019 – 2020. For population estimation, three nest site colony counts were conducted for the resident Gyps bengalensis and for Gyps indicus. The other two methods, carcass monitoring and the road transect survey, were used for all four focal vulture species of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve – Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus, Neophron percnopterus and Sarcogyps calvus. Significant variation in vulture population count was observed with different assessment methods.

A checklist of the tick of vultures, with the first record of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus linnaei (Acari: Ixodidae) from the Indian vulture, Gyps indicus (Falconiformes: Accipitridae)

We report the presence of multiple brown dog ticks (Rhicephalus linnaei) from the Indian vulture Gyps indicus. This paper constitutes the first report of this tick species from the vulture, and also the first documentation of ectoparasites from vultures in Malaysia. Additionally, we have conducted a literature review on ticks from vultures worldwide, resulting in 21 tick species consisted of six genera (Argas, Ornithodoros, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus) recorded from eight Old World vultures and two New World vultures. The lists of ticks infesting both vulture groups, along with pathogens detected from some of these ticks, are provided in this paper.

Home Range, Movement and Activity Patterns of Six vulture Species Using Satellite Telemetry in Saurashtra landscape, Gujarat, India

The information on the ranging behaviour and migration pattern of vultures is of critical conservation importance. Vultures’ range over vast areas in human-dominated landscapes where anthropogenic activities may influence their long-term survival. This paper uses the satellite telemetry of 11 individuals of six vulture species to assess their home ranges and seasonal movement patterns. The study aimed to find daily and monthly distances covered by vultures, their home range size, and the influence of breeding season on resource utilisation and activity rates. A total of 114,820 locations were collected between October 2020 and November 2021. The results indicate that the size of the core area is smaller during the breeding season of the resident species, such as the Indian vulture (Gyps indicus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), and red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) than the non-breeding season. vulture’s daily and monthly movement (mean) also decreased in the breeding season. The annual home range and core areas, calculated as 95% and 50%Utilisation Distribution differed between breeding and non-breeding seasons. The migratory vultures moved significantly longer distances across days and months than the resident species. Their annual migration patterns also differed with respect to time and migration routes.

Sighting of critically-endangered White-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis (J.F. Gmelin, 1788) in Krusadai Island, Rameswaram, India

The most adept scavengers in ecology, vultures, are on the edge of collapse. The Indian subcontinent has nine species of vultures, five of which belong to the genus Gyps and the others are the least impact. The White-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed vulture Gyps indicus, and Slender-billed Gyps tenuirostris vultures were originally and until lately the most numerous variety in India. Nevertheless, during the last ten, the abundance of these vultures has plummeted across the country. The current study reports Gyps bengalensis for the first time sighted in cauldrons on the desolate Krusadai Island, located south of Pamban Island in the Gulf of Mannar. The finding of the cauldron highlights the need for long-term research into the region to locate nesting places and aid conservation and management.

COPULATION BEHAVIORS OF INDIAN VULTURE (GYPS INDICUS) IN UDAIPUR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Frequency of copulation was recorded in Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) throughout the year or before and after egg laying periods. During the study total average 192 to 193 copulation attempts were recorded in each breeding pairs of Indian vulture. Maximum copulation attempts were observed in morning (6.00-8.00 and 8.00- 10.00 am) and evening (4.00-6.00pm) hours. Very few copulations attempts were observed afternoon (12.00 to 4.00 pm). Overall mean copulations attempts were highest recorded in month of October (10.4) followed by September (6.733), April (2.667), November (2.3), May (2.3), March (2.13) and lowest copulations attempts were recorded in June (1.9) or summer season. No copulation attempts were sighted during Dec – February month, the reason for this might be, because during these months Indian vultures usually spend time in incubation and pre hatchling cares. During study in study area before copulation aerial display behavior was completely absent in Indian vulture. Allopreening and self-preening activities were frequently sighted before and after copulations.

Recovery of vulture population in roosting and scavenging areas of Bastar and Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, India

Chhattisgarh is home to seven of the nine vulture species in India. One reason for this high vulture diversity is the presence of large herds of bovines numbering over 11 million individuals (ratio of human to bovine population is approximately 0.38), from which carcasses are disposed off in the open for scavengers. The late 1990s saw large scale decimation of vulture population, and since then there have been few studies with no sighting estimates available. In this study, concurrent sighting records were collected from different locations of southern Chhattisgarh and corroborated to develop conservative sighting estimates for sympatric populations of Gyps bengalensis and Gyps indicus. We present the first report on population recovery, with an estimated 30–35 Gyps bengalensis & 20–25 Gyps indicus in/ around Rudraram of Bijapur and 18 Gyps bengalensis & five Gyps indicus at Jamguda village of Bastar. Krishna Swami Gutta hill is identified as a nesting-roosting habitat for both species, for which six scavenging areas were identified in Bastar and Bijapur districts. The human/bovine population ratio for Bastar is 0.4, similar to the state ratio, while in Bijapur the ratio is 1.07, which justifies considering Bijapur as a conservation refuge. The few vultures that survived the diclofenac catastrophe in wild habitats most likely consumed wildlife carcasses that sustained a residual population. In these areas, the age-old practise of disposing off dead domesticated bovines away from settlements near reserve forests may also have supported the recovery of vulture population.

A revision of vulture feeding classification

Pioneering fieldwork identified the existence of three feeding groups in vultures: gulpers, rippers and scrappers. Gulpers engulf soft tissue from carcasses and rippers tear off pieces of tough tissue (skin, tendons, muscle), whereas scrappers peck on small pieces of meat they find on and around carcasses. It has been shown that these feeding preferences are reflected in the anatomy of the skull and neck. Here, we demonstrate that these three feeding groups also emerge when body core and limb bones are added to the analysis. However, the resulting classification differs from that which is based on skull morphology for three species, namely Gypaetus barbatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Gypohierax angolensis (Gmelin, 1788) and Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786). The proposed classification would improve the interrelationship between form and feeding habits in vultures. Moreover, the results of this study reinforce the value of the categorisation system introduced by Kruuk (1967), and expanded by König (1974, 1983), Houston (1988) and Hertel (1994), as it would affect not only the skull morphology but the whole-body architecture.

Contrasting Trends in Abundance of Indian Vultures (Gyps indicus) Between Two Study Sites in Neighboring Indian States

Indian Vultures (Gyps indicus) are critically endangered, yet are poorly monitored. We analyze counts of breeding pairs of Indian Vultures in Central India, specifically the eastern portions of the Indian states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over a period of 10 years and reveal the populations were on differing trajectories from 2007 to 2016. The difference between population levels of the study areas nearly doubled during our study, with the population in Rajasthan declining relative to Madhya Pradesh. Future research should examine potential drivers of population declines and establish a long-term monitoring program that informs current conservation strategies for Indian and other vultures across their range.

Distribution, Population trend and Threats of three critically endangered Gyps vulture in Indian subcontinent: a review

Indian subcontinent hosts three critically endangered Gyps vultures, namely; Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus, and Gyps tenuirostris. In the present review, we analyzed all previously published articles on geographic distribution, population trend and threats related to these three gyps vultures. In our analysis, we found that, these three species are reported mostly from India, Nepal and Bangladesh. These species are under a lot of environmental pressure, such as poisoning, habitat destruction, food shortages, electrocution and so on. These mentioned environmental factors are causing shrinkage of their distribution range as well decrease of individual numbers in last few decades. Their population is currently declining, with varying rate in different countries indicating that the three species of resident Gyps vultures in the Indian Subcontinent are still in great peril and require continuous conservation and appropriate management action plans to bring the population back to stable trend and to save these species from possible extinction.

Eco-Biology, Threats and Conservation Problems of Indian Vulture in Southern Rajasthan, India

Vultures are very efficient and powerful natural scavengers in ecosystem, they usually feed upon carcass of domestic and wild animals. India is a home of nine specie of vultures they are very sensitive towards changes in habitat and climatic conditions. Vultures required large territories, selective diet and unique habitats for its survival. Vulture populations dramatically and rapidly declined from last 30 years due to acute and chronic renal failure and avian gout disease. Major reasons of vulture declined due to extensive use of veterinary drugs like diclofenac, ketofenac, fluxin, carprofen and nimesulide for treatment of domestic animals in various diseases. Other factor also responsible for vulture’s population declined due to habitat destruction, lack of roosting and nesting habitat, mortality due to electrocution and collision with wind turbine, road killing and low reproductive success rate responsible for its survival and population decline. Male and female of Indian vultures are morphologically similar in shape and size. Vulture’s having slow breeding rate and usually laid single egg per year or in every breeding season. Vultures collectively feed upon carrion and sometime inter & intra specific competition observed at feeding and roosting times. Indian vulture usually construct nest upon rock cliffs and old historical monuments area where cliffs are absent they generally construct nest on large and old trees. GPS tagging and satellite monitoring helpful for finding daily, seasonal, local and global migratory route of species.

New Distribution Record and the Status of Long-Billed Vulture Gyps indicus in Sindh Province of Pakistan in 2019 – 2020

New Distribution Record and the Status of Long-Billed Vulture Gyps indicus in Sindh Province of Pakistan in 2019 – 2020

Seasonal Fluctuation in Thermoregulatory Behaviour of Long-Billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) by Wing Stretching at Southern Rajasthan, India

Long-billed vulture is warm-blooded and they regulate body temperature by solar radiation. Thermoregulatory behaviour plays an important role for organism survival and its fitness. It also plays a major role in removal of ectozoons, cleaning of body and feathers, elimination of sand particles, wing flexibility and is also helpful in long distance flight. Maximum thermoregulation time recorded in winter were (680±95.65) and minimum were (516.07 ±68.66) seconds in summer in per day. Maximum thermoregulation time’s record in winter was due to low environmental temperature, high humidity and low wind velocity. In winter maximum average temperature was (27.12±2.88°C) and minimum was (8.63±3.03°C), while thermoregulation time minimum recorded in summer due to high environmental temperature. In summer season maximum average temperature was recorded (39.34± 2.10°C) and minimum was (23.08±4.49°C). Thermoregulation is influenced by various ecological parameters like- temperature, rain, sunshine period, wind velocity and cloudy weather. Thermoregulatory times reduced when environmental temperature increased. In summer long billed vulture protect nestling from direct sunlight.