Conserving Vultures: A Bird’s Eye View Vulture Awareness Day 05 th September 2009

Vultures In Maharashtra 6 vulture species found White Rumped Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis) Long billed Vulture ( Gyps indicus) Egyptian Vulture ( Neophron percnopterus) Cinereous Vulture ( Aegypius monachus ) King Vulture ( Sarcogyps calvus ) Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus) Rarely to our northern area in winter

6 vulture species found

White Rumped Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis)

Long billed Vulture ( Gyps indicus)

Egyptian Vulture ( Neophron percnopterus)

Cinereous Vulture ( Aegypius monachus )

King Vulture ( Sarcogyps calvus )

Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus) Rarely to our northern area in winter

Endangered Vultures Of Maharashtra Long Billed Vulture( Gyps indicus ) *Slender billed vulture (G. tenuirostris) is also endangered but found in North-East region White Backed Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis)

Long Billed Vulture( Gyps indicus )

*Slender billed vulture (G. tenuirostris) is also endangered but found in North-East region

White Backed Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis)

Difference while flying White Backed Vulture Long billed Vulture

Habitats….

History Was first observed in 1996 in Keoladeo National Park by Dr Vibhu Prakash. Subsequently The decline was Observed everywhere in subcontinent. From 1996 to 2007, 99.9% decline in the population of Vultures was Observed.

Was first observed in 1996 in Keoladeo National Park by Dr Vibhu Prakash.

Subsequently The decline was Observed everywhere in subcontinent.

From 1996 to 2007, 99.9% decline in the population of Vultures was Observed.

Consequences Are main Scavengers Ecological imbalance Reduced Efficiency of Carcass cleaning Increases in number of other opportunistic scavengers Religious Issues

Are main Scavengers

Ecological imbalance

Reduced Efficiency of Carcass cleaning

Increases in number of other opportunistic scavengers

Religious Issues

Diclofenac NSAID once used widely in Veterinary practice Treated Livestock -> Carcass -> Scavenging by Vultures -> Visceral Gout -> Death by Showing Neck Drooping Syndrome. Supposed to cause Ischemic Necrosis of Kidneys leading to progressive Visceral gout.

NSAID once used widely in Veterinary practice

Treated Livestock -> Carcass -> Scavenging by Vultures -> Visceral Gout -> Death by Showing Neck Drooping Syndrome.

Supposed to cause Ischemic Necrosis of Kidneys leading to progressive Visceral gout.

Food Scarcity & Loss Of Habitat Carcass disposal And competition

Carcass disposal

And competition

Ban on Diclofenac Diclofenac is Banned In Veterinary Practice Use of Other NSAIDs are promoted Meloxicam, Nemulside ect…

Diclofenac is Banned In Veterinary Practice

Use of Other NSAIDs are promoted

Meloxicam, Nemulside ect…

Vulture Restaurents Vultures get Diclofenac free Carcass. Useful only in breeding Seasons.

Vultures get Diclofenac free Carcass.

Useful only in breeding Seasons.

Protecting Nest Sites Geological Magnetism Habitats Like Cliffs & Coconut Trees.

Geological Magnetism

Habitats Like Cliffs

& Coconut Trees.

Breeding Programs Recently Captive Breeding of White Backed Vulture is Successful Other studies on captive management, breeding behavior and reproductive studies are essential.

Recently Captive Breeding of White Backed Vulture is Successful

Other studies on captive management, breeding behavior and reproductive studies are essential.

Nisarg Mitra Work Nest Protection & False Incubation Food Scarcity

Nest Protection & False Incubation

Food Scarcity

Vulture Sightings & Interesting upcomings Known Colonies around our area…. Ringed Vulture Avian Malaria

Known Colonies around our area….

Ringed Vulture

Avian Malaria

Our Role As Veterinarians Say no to Diclofenac Try to understand the effects of drugs on environment and wildlife, which we are administering to livestock. If u find any Vulture dead/ alive …… Try to contribute in making Vulture Restaurants…. Make others aware …..

Say no to Diclofenac

Try to understand the effects of drugs on environment and wildlife, which we are administering to livestock.

If u find any Vulture dead/ alive ……

Try to contribute in making Vulture Restaurants….

Make others aware …..

Acknowledgment Respected Dean KNPCOVS Chairperson and Coordinators of KNP Vet Nature Club Pramod Deshpande (Photo Credits) My College mates.

Respected Dean KNPCOVS

Chairperson and Coordinators of KNP Vet Nature Club

Pramod Deshpande (Photo Credits)

My College mates.