White-rumped Vulture Gyps Bengalensis Research Articles

Breeding of the ‘Critically Endangered’ White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis in the Shan Highlands, Myanmar

Recent studies have shown the importance of Myanmar for the conservation of three ‘Critically Endangered’ vulture populations. From November 2022 to March 2023, we carried out rapid surveys on vulture nests and nesting tree characteristics in Ke Hsi Township, Shan Highlands. We recorded 10 nests of White-rumped Vultures, Gyps bengalensis, on five nesting trees from four different localities. Six nests were active, and six nestlings were observed; four nests were inactive or abandoned. Most of the nests were recorded on Ficus spp. and the mean nest height was 13.6 m (SD ± 4.1) above ground. This represents the first confirmed record of the breeding success of White-rumped Vultures from Shan Highlands and confirms the ongoing presence of the species in Shan States. The population of G. bengalensis in Shan Highlands is small, but the confirmed breeding is significant in the wider context for this species.

Assessment of chlorinated pesticide exposure to white-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis in India.

Populations of the critically endangered white-rumped vulture (WRV) Gyps bengalensis have declined drastically due to the use of diclofenac for veterinary purposes in Indian subcontinent. Thirty-two dead WRVs collected from three states, namely Gujarat, Assam and Tamil Nadu in India between 2011 and 2014 were investigated to understand the role of diclofenac in the death, and the results were published. Furthermore, since organochlorine pesticides have been linked to long-term impact on populations in many species of birds across the globe, available tissues of 21 WRVs were tested also for six organochlorine pesticides (DDT, HCH, endosulfan, heptachlor, dieldrin and dicofol) and chlorpyrifos. All vultures were found to have had one or more detectable levels of pesticides in their tissues except one. Similarly, all the pesticides included in the study were detected in at least one of the vultures analysed. DDT (95.2%) was the most frequently detected pesticide followed by HCH (90.5%), and DDT (73.6%) contributed the most to the total pesticide load. Total pesticide load ranged between below detection limit (BDL) and 8753.4ng/g. High levels of total pesticide load recorded in gut contents showed recent exposure to these legacy pesticides even long after their ban. However, it is perceived that studied pesticides' exposure to birds and their presence in the environment is in decreasing trend in India. Although, varying levels of pesticides were detected, all of which were below the levels reported to be toxic, and also reported earlier in the same species in India. Recorded levels may not create a problem to vultures unlike diclofenac; nevertheless, as continued exposure to the pesticides studied may lead to sub lethal effects in birds, it is prudent to monitor these pesticides along with new generation pesticides and NSAIDs in the critically endangered white-rumped vulture in India, towards its conservation.

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.

Analyzing White-rumped Vulture breeding behavior using Markovian modeling

Understanding wildlife behavior, including accurate identification, processing, and interpretation of activities or cues, is important to behavioral biology and corresponding conservation strategies. We characterized the breeding activities of the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis following a sequential pattern from courtship to fledging. We recorded 4,160 visual observations of 20 behaviors of eight pairs of White-rumped Vultures from September 2021–April 2022 and constructed Markov chain models to model three composite behaviors (i.e., breeding, foraging, and roosting). We found that vultures at four nests displayed >70% of the time in breeding behavior, and each nest produced offspring, indicating a potential correlation between breeding behavior and successful reproductive outcomes. Our model explained each composite behavior with high accuracy. Identifying behaviors White-rumped Vulture have practical applications for developing management plans for their conservation, including the timing of critical reproductive events. Our findings and approach can improve our understanding of White-rumped Vulture behavioral ecology and conservation and have applications for other species.

Forest Management Practice Influences Bird Diversity in the Mid-Hills of Nepal.

Forest management practice plays a critical role in conserving biodiversity. However, there are few studies on how forest management practice affects bird communities. Here, we compare the effectiveness of the Panchase Protection Forest (PPF; protected forest with government administration) and the Tibrekot Community Forest (TCF; community forest with community forest users' group administration) in hosting bird diversity in the mid-hills of Nepal. We examined 96 point count stations during summer and winter in 2019 and recorded 160 species of birds with three globally threatened vultures (red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus, slender-billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris, and white-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis). Forest management practice, season, and elevation all influenced the richness and abundance of birds. The diversity, richness, and abundance of birds and the most common feeding guilds (insectivore, omnivore, and carnivore) were higher in TCF than in PPF; however, globally threatened species were only recorded in PPF. We also recorded a higher bird species turnover (beta diversity) in TCF than in PPF. Our study indicates that community-managed forests can also provide quality habitats similar to those of protected forests managed by the government, and provide refuge to various bird species and guilds. However, we recommend more comparative studies in other tropical and sub-tropical areas to understand how different forest management practices influence bird diversity.

Are white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) scavengers or predators at a vulture safe feeding site of Nepal?

Abstract. Gautan R, Baral N, Sharma HP. 2022. Are white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) scavengers or predators at a vulture safe feeding site of Nepal?. Biodiversitas 23: 3808-3812. Establishing safe feeding sites has been promoted as a strategy to conserve wild vultures following the population crash in South Asia due to the contamination of natural food by veterinary diclofenac. Several feeding sites have been established in the region, including Nepal and it is important to evaluate their effectiveness. One aspect that is not clear yet is whether such safe feeding sites change the behaviors of wild vultures in South Asia. Here, we report incidents of White-rumped Vultures Gyps bengalensis attacking live animals at the Vulture Safe Feeding Site in Ghachok village in central Nepal. Even though a carcass was available nearby to feed upon, three White-rumped Vultures attacked an adult cow and a calf at the feeding site. The vultures’ attack served as an ancillary cause of the calf’s death in this case. These two incidents of vultures’ attacking live animals at the safe feeding site may allude to changing behaviors and cast doubt on their status of being classified as an obligate scavengers. The findings suggest alteration of vulture behaviors at the safe feeding site. Further research is needed to test the hypothesis of vulture behavior change.

Raptors observed (1983–2016) in National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary: semi-arid biogeographic region suggestions for parametric studies on ecological continuity in Khathiar-Gir Ecoregion, India

The birds of prey or raptors in the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) assume importance as they are among the top predators of the region, predating on small crocodilians, turtles, and birds. Our checklist of 30 species of raptors is developed from observations made during winter surveys conducted between 1983 and 2016. The study area covered the course of river Chambal including its confluence with river Kuno that leads from Palpur-Kuno Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. The raptors which use the steep and inaccessible mud cliffs of the Chambal landscape include Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata, Laggar Falcon Falco jugger, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Spotted Owlet Athene brama, and the Indian Eagle-Owl or Rock Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis. Most of the other raptors noted in NCS appear to visit from and around the adjoining wildlife areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. According to two methods of classification the study comes in the semi-arid biogeographic zone or Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forest ecoregion. The list of raptors from NCS-Kuno has been compared with previous reports and the list available for Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. The present work is the outcome of a long-term ecological monitoring that primarily focused on the Gharial Gavialis gangeticus and its ecological associates in water and the riverine shores. The birds of prey demanded time and attention for looking above and away from the water surface or the shorelines. Yet, our meticulous records maintained over 34 years have generated a basal profile that is expected to inspire focused studies on parameters that sustain ecological association of raptors of NCS adjoining forest habitats and wildlife sanctuaries in the ecoregion.

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.

Vulture distribution and people perception of vultures in Pokhara Valley, Nepal.

Due to an abundance and diversity of vultures, Nepal is one of the most important countries for vulture conservation. Within Nepal, the Pokhara Valley is especially significant. We examine the distribution of vultures within the Pokhara Valley by conducting counts at 11 potential feeding or roosting sites using point count method. We further surveyed people of the valley regarding their perception of vulture ecology and conservation, knowledge of diclofenac use within the valley, and burial of livestock carcasses. We detected eight species of vultures, four of which are currently threatened with extinction. White‐rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis, Egyptian vulture Nephron percnopterus, and Himalayan vulture G. himalayensis were the most abundant. Almost all respondents (98%) had sighted the vultures in the wild. Formally educated respondents reported seeing vultures’ slightly more than nonformally educated respondents. Fifty‐eight percent respondents suspected habitat loss was the major threat for the vulture population decline in Pokhara Valley, and 97% respondents were not aware of any diclofenac use. The knowledge of vultures in people with different age groups suggests a more awareness programs are needed for local people, especially those who carry out animal husbandry and provide livestock to the vulture restaurant.

Nimesulide poisoning in white-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis in Gujarat, India.

Population of white-rumped vulture has not recovered in India to a desired level even after diclofenac was banned in 2006. During 2019, there were two known separate incidents of white-rumped vulture mortality involving four white-rumped vultures in Gujarat. After post-mortem examinations, tissues of all four vultures were received for toxicological investigation at the National Centre for Avian Ecotoxicology, SACON. Tissues were screened for a set of toxic pesticides, and none of them was at detectable level. Subsequently, the tissues were analysed for thirteen NSAIDs and paracetamol. Of all the drugs tested, only nimesulide was detected in all the tissues (17-1395 ng/g) indicative of exposure. Visceral gout was also observed in all the four vultures during post-mortem. Residues of nimesulide in tissues with symptoms of gout indicated that the vultures died due to nimesulide poisoning. Although, other than diclofenac, many NSAIDs are suspected to be toxic to white-rumped vultures, only nimesulide is reported in the recent past with clear symptom of gout in wild dead white-rumped vultures similar to diclofenac. Since, nimesulide appears to act similar to diclofenac in exerting toxic effects, if veterinary use of nimesulide continues, white-rumped vulture are bound to suffer. Hence, it is recommended that nimesulide should be banned by the government to conserve white-rumped vulture in the Indian subcontinent. Further, an effective system is recommended to be put in place to collect the tissues of dead vultures for toxicological investigations and eventual conservation of the critically endangered species.

The Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Sigur Plateau, Western Ghats, India: Population, breeding ecology, and threats

The present study aimed to assess the population status, breeding ecology, and conservation threats of Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture in Sigur Plateau, Tamil Nadu, India from June 2011 to May 2012. The population of White-rumped vulture was estimated in the roosting and nesting sites twice in a month. Nesting colonies were systematically visited four times in a month during the breeding season to study nesting and breeding ecology. Carcasses and vulture counting was done by opportunistic count method. Two sets of questionnaires namely ‘precise and closed’ and ‘broad and open-ended’ were developed to asses the people’s perception on vulture conservation. The overall population of White-rumped Vultures was estimated about 70 to 115 individuals. In total, 68 nests were observed in two nesting colonies. Most of the nests (97%) were recorded on Terminalia arjuna and only 3% on Spondias mangifera. Among the 68 constructed nests, 34 were incubated and 30 chicks were fledged out from the nests with 88% breeding success. Feeding behavior was observed from 28 carcasses, Vultures were attended only 15 caracasses an average of 56.04±3.29 individuals of vultures were recorded. Interestingly, Elephant (61.8±5.1) and Indian Gaur (58.5±0.3) carcasses were attracted in greater numbers of vultures in susiquent days (3.5±0.2) than other carcasses. People’s attitude to vulture conservation was positive and useful in 90.82% of the cases (n=99). Cattle carcass disposal method favored to vultures in these regions. The Sigur Plateau to be declared as “Vulture Sanctuary” in order to legally protect and conserve the country’s southern-most wild and viable Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture population in the landscape.

Population Status and Nesting Activity of White-Rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Kotli District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis colonies are expanding in some areas of their range after a catastrophic decline, yet in other areas population status and ecology remain poorly known. In the current study, we documented the first-ever monitoring of population size and nesting activity of the White-rumped Vulture using the road transect method in Kotli District, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Covering a 9.09 km road transect we found nine colonies, six of which had a total of 52 active nests (a mean of 5.8±5.6 nests per colony). The nine colonies contained a population of 191 vultures (a minimum of n=7, to a maximum of n=50 with a mean of 21.2±15 individuals per colony). Nests were on Chir Pine trees Pinus roxburghii at an average height of 20.8±1.6 meters from the ground. Most of the nests were near running water sources and roads. Vultures were found at waste from slaughterhouses, livestock carcasses, road-killed wildlife and street dogs, which appear to be their main sources of food. Forest fire could be detrimental to the species' population. Monitoring on an annual basis is needed in order to understand the population trend of the White-rumped Vultures in the area.

Survey on the Avian Diversity along the Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking Route in Western Nepal

A bird survey was carried out on one of Nepal’s most popular trekking destinations, Annapurna Base Camp in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). ACA trekking route was selected as our transect line. Direct observation method and call count method were used during the survey following the transect line. A total of 166 species were recorded representing nine orders and 39 families. The main objective of the present work was to study the avian diversity. Eight nationally threatened and three globally threatened bird species were recorded during the survey. White-rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis (Gmelin) and Red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus (Scopoli) (critically endangered species) were also recorded. The abundancy of Rufous sibia Malacias capistratus (Vigors) was higher, while Nepal house martin Delichon nipalense (Moore) had the highest number. Hunting, excessive harvesting of bamboo shoots, orchids, overgrazing and improper management of solid waste were directly observed threats.

On the diversity of the vertebrate fauna (excluding fishes) of Panchet Hill (Garh Panchkot), Purulia, West Bengal, India

The present study was conducted at Panchet Hill (Garh Panchkot), Purulia, West Bengal between June 2013 and May 2015. Multiple methods were used for making a consolidated checklist and comments on the relative abundance of vertebrate diversity, excluding fishes. The methods included hand capturing, extensive searches in micro habitats, opportunistic spotting and information collection from the local people. A total of 106 different vertebrate species were recorded during the study span of two years. Aves was recorded as the Class with the highest diversity (63 species) while Amphibia was recorded as the Class with the lowest diversity (9 species). Most of the species recorded during the present study belong to ‘Least Concern’ category as designated by IUCN. The Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus and Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena belong to ‘Near Threatened’ category while the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis belongs to ‘Critically Endangered’ category. The present study location is facing pressures from the usual anthropogenic interventions and needs attention from the concerned authorities.

Poisoning causing the decline in South-East Asia’s largest vulture population

SummaryCambodia supports populations of three Critically Endangered vulture species that are believed to have become isolated from the rest of the species’ global range. Until recently Cambodia’s vulture populations had remained stable. However a recent spike in the number of reports of the use of poisons in hunting practices suggests the need to re-evaluate the conservation situation in Cambodia. Population trend analysis showed that since 2010 populations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus have declined, while the Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris may also have started to decline since 2013. These trends are supported by evidence of reduced nesting success. A survey of veterinary drug availability revealed that diclofenac, the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug responsible for vulture declines in South Asia was not available for sale in any of the 74 pharmacies surveyed. However, a poisoned Slender-billed Vulture tested positive for carbofuran in toxicology tests. This provides the first evidence of a vulture mortality resulting from carbofuran in Cambodia. The findings suggest the urgent need to tackle use of carbamate pesticides in hunting. Proposed conservation actions are: a) prevention of poisoning through national bans on harmful carbamate pesticides and diclofenac and education campaigns to reduce demand and use; b) training of personnel in priority protected areas in detection and response to poisoning incidents; c) maintenance of a safe and reliable food source through vulture restaurants to ensure short-term survival, and d) protection and restoration of large areas of deciduous dipterocarp forests to enable long-term species recovery.

Recent changes in populations of Critically Endangered Gyps vultures in India

Populations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Indian Vulture G. indicus and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris declined rapidly during the mid-1990s all over their ranges in the Indian subcontinent because of poisoning due to veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. This paper reports results from the latest in a series of road transect surveys conducted across northern, central, western and north-eastern India since the early 1990s. Results from the seven comparable surveys now available were analysed to estimate recent population trends. Populations of all three species of vulture remained at a low level. The previously rapid decline of White-rumped Vulture has slowed and may have reversed since the ban on veterinary use of diclofenac in India in 2006. A few thousand of this species, possibly up to the low tens of thousands, remained in India in 2015. The population of Indian Vulture continued to decline, though probably at a much slower rate than in the 1990s. This remains the most numerous of the three species in India with about 12,000 individuals in 2015 and a confidence interval ranging from a few thousands to a few tens of thousands. The trend in the rarest species, Slender-billed Vulture, which probably numbers not much more than 1,000 individuals in India, cannot be determined reliably.

Foraging behaviour at carcasses in an Asian vulture assemblage: towards a good restaurant guide

SummaryVulture populations are declining steeply worldwide. Vulture ‘restaurants’ or feeding stations are a tool for maintaining and monitoring numbers, but individual species may be disadvantaged by the effects of carcass distribution, carcass size and interspecific aggression. To test the degree to which restaurants give opportunities for each species to access the food provided, we studied behaviour and morphology in three Critically Endangered species of vulture in Cambodia: the gregariously breeding and feeding White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris, and the solitary Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus. We video-recorded attendance time, attendance order and dominance behaviour at different-sized carcasses. Interspecific aggression at carcasses was least frequently shown by the ‘small’ White-rumped Vulture. The relatively ‘large’ Slender-billed and ‘medium’ Red-headed Vultures showed aggression more regularly and at similar levels. However, the latter avoids conflict by waiting until Gyps vultures are no longer crowding at the carcass, although its arrival at carcasses was correlated with total number of vultures present. While more numerous than Red-headed, the two Gyps vultures are more dependent on large carcasses, which increases their vulnerability to further declines in wild large ungulate species. Body size, number of individuals, hunger levels and carcass size and availability all influence carcass attendance behaviour. An increase in the number and spatial distribution of restaurants as well as of carcass size range could boost numbers of all vulture species.

Population trends in Himalayan Griffon in Upper Mustang, Nepal, before and after the ban on diclofenac

SummaryThe Upper Mustang region of Nepal holds important breeding populations of Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis. Despite this species being considered ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, the population in Upper Mustang had declined substantially in the early to mid-2000s. During that period, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac was commonly used to treat illness and injury in domesticated ungulates throughout Nepal. The timing and magnitude of declines in Himalayan Griffon in Upper Mustang resemble the declines in resident populations of the ‘Critically Endangered’ White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris in Nepal, both of which are also known to be highly sensitive to diclofenac. Since 2006, the veterinary use of diclofenac has been banned in Nepal to prevent further vulture declines. In this paper, we analyse the population trend in Himalayan Griffon in Upper Mustang between 2002 and 2014 and show a partial recovery. We conclude that the decline is now occurring at a slower rate than previously observed and immigration from areas where diclofenac was either not or rarely used the probable explanation for the recovery observed.

Distribution of vultures in Uttar Pradesh, India

As carrion feeders vultures play an important ecological role. Counts and qualitative assessments were done over three seasons to assess the richness and abundance of vultures in Uttar Pradesh during 2010–11. Of nine species found in India, Uttar Pradesh has six: Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (45.9%), Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris (25.4%), Indian Vulture (Long-billed Vulture) Gyps indicus (16.8%), White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis ( 10.3% ) , Red-headed Vulture (King Vulture) Sarcogyps calvus (0.8%) and Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis (0.7%). We observed a total of 1993 adults and 91 juveniles, with the Tarai region having the greatest species richness and abundance. Nesting tree species included Silk Cotton Bombax ceiba , Teak Tectona grandis , Haldu Haldina cordifolia and Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo . A qualitative assessment indicated that the vulture population had declined in the past 10–15 years, with the main causes being the use of diclofenac, shortage of food and habitat loss. Disposal of dead animals was mainly done by removing carcasses to village outskirts, where dogs, crows and egrets compete with vultures. Such a small number of avian scavengers in a large area like Uttar Pradesh should be protected by ensuring safe and sufficient food, recovery from accidents and rehabilitation, and a protected environment.

An annotated checklist of fishes from Bhutan

Ahmadabad and its surrounding region (Gujarat, India) is an important breeding area for the Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, currently with around 60 breeding pairs. The kite flying festival, celebrated on 14 and 15 January, poses a major threat to the vulture. Through rigorous awareness and rescue programs we encountered 108 White-rumped Vultures between January 2009 and August 2012. The vultures were injured due to kite flying (43.9%) and other causes, such as dehydration, visceral gout and illness (56.1%). Considering all encounters, survival rates were higher among vultures with kite string injuries (53.3%) when compared to other causes (36.7%). This was due to a higher proportion of dead-on-arrival encounters in other causes (45.0%) especially when compared to encounters with visceral gout and kite string injuries (2.2%). The survival rates of encounters of live rescued vultures are higher in other causes (66.7%) compared to kite string injuries (54.5%). This is mainly because the majority of live encounters (excluding kite string injuries) are dehydrated fledglings or juveniles which recover well upon administration of intravenous fluids. Encounters of live vultures with kite string injuries involve birds with severe blood loss, incurable infections and stress which result in decreased survival. Most casualties from kite string injuries are due to hypovolumic shock, septic shock and stress.