SLENDER-BILLED VULTURE GYPS TENUIROSTRIS' DISTRIBUTION RANGE IS LIKELY SHRINKING IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH ACCORDING TO RECENT SURVEY

Abstract

The Slender-billed Vulture (SBV) is an old world vulture currently distributed in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It is enlisted as “Critically endangered” species and its population is declining. SBV has been previously reported from many areas of Arunachal Pradesh (A.P). Recently, we studied the current occurrence area of SBV from 2016 to 2019 in A.P and then we compared our nding with past spatial distribution range as reported by earlier researchers. After analysis, we found approximately 18.67%, i.e. around 1430.12 km2, likely shrinkage in SBV distribution range. It is a signicant decreased in range compare to the past range which was approximately 19431 km2 and in the study it was found to be disappeared from two of six previously recorded districts of the state. Earlier, it was reported from Changlang, Papum Pare, East Siang, Lohit, Namsai and Lower Dibang Valley but in our extensive survey for four years, not a single individual was sighted from Changlang and Papum pare districts. Highest individuals of SBV were recorded from Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary of East Siang district and three other districts which are sharing border with Assam. These ndings will help to formulate appropriate and effective conservation policies in the future to protect SBV and its habitat, as well as to stabilize the gradual shrinkage of its distribution range in A.P.