A review of the status of vultures in the southern state of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Vultures are vital scavengers that maintain ecological balance by feeding on carcasses. Among the nine vulture species in India, four are categorised as ‘Critically Endangered’, one as ‘Endangered’, three as ‘Near Threatened’, and one as ‘Least Concern’ as per the IUCN Red List. The vultures have experienced a global decline, while in India, majorly due to the use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). A review of all available literature on vultures from 1838 to December 2022 and extracting of all sight records from eBird to understand their status, occurrence, and distribution for the Indian state of Karnataka. The study reveals a total of seven vulture species recorded from the state, of them, one was misidentified, two are vagrants, and the other four species, namely Egyptian Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, and Red-headed Vulture, are residents. The resident vulture population in the state is experiencing a consistent decrease and has been confined in recent years to in and around Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves, while Egyptian Vulture is mostly observed in human-inhabited areas. In contrast to the gradual recovery of the Gyps vulture population across the country, the population in the Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary remains relatively low or decreasing. Periodic systematic population assessments and monitoring of nest sites, evaluating breeding patterns, and ensuring the availability of undisturbed carcasses for vultures to feed on are suggested.