Vultures turn vulnerable

                                          -Jessica Bernard

Indian vulture too to list of endangered species! The species of Indian vultures belonging to the genus Gyps is in the verge of getting in to the Red Data Book.Guys,the White-backed,Long-billed and Slender-billed vultures are really in trouble.It is disheartening  that these species are endemic to the Moyar Valley in Sathyamangalam forest division of Tamil Nadu.

Decline in the number of Indian  vultures was first noticed in Rajasthan.A drastic reduction in vulture population was detected initially in KeoLadeo national park in 1960s and by 1999-2000, vultures of various species could not be found in KeoLadeo.Loss of habitat is one of the major causes for this plight.Ruthless deforestation and human encroachments are posing threat to their havens.Recent studies reveal that drugs administered to cattle such as `diclofenac’ are harmful to these scavengers.The practice of poisoning of carcasses by villagers also contribute to the plight of vultures.

 

Moyar Valley is the habitat for about four species of Gyps vultures.It is high time that we start acting to prevent these species from getting extinct.Proper awareness is to be created to deter villagers from indulging in actions causing havoc to the of vulture population. Only collective actions collaborated between the authorities and local communities can save our vultures.