By Meera Bhardwaj
If there are safe feeding and nesting grounds for the critically endangered Vulture Species in India, then why can’t they be recovered naturally? MM Hills Wildlife Division in Karnataka, India has shown the way after two years of hard work, studies and observation.
Recent camera trap images have shown the presence of critically endangered vulture species in the Protected Areas of this division. The Long-Billed or Indian Vulture, the Red Headed Vulture, immatures White-Rumped Vulture and the Himalayan Griffons were sighted and recorded in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
LONG-BILLED VULTURE FOUND FEEDING
An old-world species, the Long-Billed or Indian Vulture is found only in India, Pakistan and Nepal. Critically endangered, its population has severely declined due to feeding on diclofenac contaminated cattle carcasses. Drastic decline in its population has resulted in massive rise in feral dog population in India as also record number of cases of Rabies.
CAMERA TRAPPED
To the amazement of wildlife authorities, rare and endangered vultures (camera trapped) were seen feeding on the carcass of a Spotted Deer on April 10 and 11th. Further, field observations by the forest officials have also shown nesting behavior as also the presence of nests in P G Palya Range of MM Hills Wildlife sanctuary. This Protected Area is home to tigers, leopards, gaurs, elephants, sloth bear, dholes, four horned antelopes, Sambar, Chital, honey badgers and a range of reptiles and bird species.
Two cameras were installed in the P G Palya Range of this Sanctuary by Range Forest Officer Syed Sab Nadaf and happily, the images have shown these species feeding on the carcass. Forest officials say there is high probability of nesting as field staff have been monitoring and observing the vultures for the last 2-3 months.
RED HEADED VULTURE FOUND NEAR THE CARCASS
An old-world vulture, the critically endangered Red Headed Vulture is mainly found in the Indian sub-continent and a small disjunctive population in south east Asia. This species has come close to extinction due to widespread use of the banned Diclofenac. Only Meloxicam has been found to be “Vulture-Safe” and its use in cattle treatment is now being encouraged.
TWO YEARS OF EFFORT
This start to species recovery did not happen overnight as for the last two years, the MM Hills wildlife division have not been cremating the “animals” that have died naturally. Any animal that has died due to natural causes has been left in the open for Carnivores and Scavengers to feed, says V Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), MM Hills Wildlife Division.
The DCF adds, “We are not burying or burning the dead animals after the post mortem has revealed death due to natural causes. Recently, an antelope succumbed naturally to its injuries and it was left open for scavengers to feed on. Two cameras were also installed on either side and for the first time, we have evidence – the presence of critically endangered vultures which were feeding on the carcass.”
IMMATURES WHITE RUMPED VULTURE & HIMALAYAN GRIFFON
Native to South and South East Asia, the White-Rumped Vulture has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2000. Their population severely declined due to kidney failure – caused by veterinary diclofenac poisoning.
Along with this, Himalayan Griffon can be seen near the Carcass. SAVE Program Manager, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Chris Bowden says, “Its immatures disperse into the Plains of India over their first two years.
NATURAL DEATH
This method of leaving the carcass of elephant, Indian Gaur or Antelopes open for scavengers to feed on – the MM Hills Wildlife Division has been doing it for two years now. But only if the death is natural and there is no evidence of poisoning. After it is fully ascertained by the Veterinary doctor, then only the carcass is kept open for feeding.
Last week, an elephant died in Hughyam range due to natural causes. The tusks of this animal were removed and its carcass kept in the open for scavengers. Earlier to this, in March, an Indian Gaur died due to natural causes in Rampura and after post mortem, the carcass was kept in the open.
SIX RAPTORS IN A GROUP
However, in the gaur and elephant death cases, authorities had not installed any camera traps but now they are planning to install in the event of such cases to observe and study the behavior of Vultures. It is not just scavengers but wild dogs (dholes) and wild boars have been observed feeding on the carcasses that were kept in the open. Also, small scavengers like big rodents feed on the carcass.
As far as big cats like Tigers and Leopards are concerned, this cremation procedure is not followed. And even if they died due to natural causes, they are burnt as per norms laid down by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the DCF informs.
SAVE VULTURES – ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION
Yedukondalu stresses, “Tigers and leopard carcass cannot be left open for scavengers as this will give rise to smuggling and poaching of wildlife parts like bones, claws and nails. Being of very high value in the international markets, there is no possibility of keeping the tiger or leopard carcass in the open. We cannot take any chances as this will give a fillip to smuggling. Further, if any wildlife has died outside the Sanctuary limits, even that carcass is being cremated while all poisoned carcasses are cremated by burning.
VULTURE SANCTUARY
According to field staff at Ramdevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, Ramnagara, with vultures moving from here towards Chamarajanagara district which has three protected areas. They may have found ideal conditions for feeding as also nesting in its new grounds.
Due to high disturbances like highway construction, quarrying activities, tourism and trekking activities, India’s only vulture sanctuary has about 20-25 Egyptians and a few Long-Billed vultures, says a forest watcher. However, for these species, the sanctuary has not been such an ideal place and further, the state government has rejected this sanctuary for captive breeding of vultures.
RAPTORS FIND PROTECTION IN THIS WILDLIFE DIVISION
And with nests being seen in the K G Palya range, one can only hope this as a small beginning for the recovery of the vulture species in India. And the good news is that MM Hills wildlife officials are planning to carry out their observations and monitoring of these species in all the ranges of the sanctuary.
(ALL PHOTO CREDITS: KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT)
RELATED TAGS:
MM Hills Long-Billed Vultures
White-Rumped Vultures
Red Headed Vultures
Himalayan Griffon
Raptors Scavengers Diclofenac