VULTURE COUNT 2024

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: WWF-India has launched a significant initiative aimed at tracking and conserving vulture populations, often referred to as nature’s sanitation workers due to their role in maintaining ecological balance.

EXPLANATION:

• This initiative, known as Vulture Count 2024, will run from September 7 to October 6, coinciding with International Vulture Awareness Day.
• The campaign aims not only to count vultures but also to raise awareness about the critical importance of these birds to ecosystems.

The Ecological Role of Vultures

• Vultures play a crucial role in the health of ecosystems.
• By feeding on carrion, these birds prevent the spread of diseases that could potentially affect wildlife, livestock, and humans.
• Their scavenging activities contribute to nutrient cycling, helping to decompose animal carcasses and thus maintaining ecological balance.
• Without vultures, there would be a significant increase in decomposing animal remains, leading to a rise in diseases and environmental contamination.

Decline of Vulture Populations

• Despite their importance, vulture populations in India have suffered a dramatic decline over the years.
• Several threats have been identified as the primary causes of this decline:
  • Ingestion of Toxic Substances:
    • Vultures have been severely affected by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly diclofenac, which is commonly used to treat livestock.
    • When vultures feed on carcasses of animals treated with these drugs, they suffer from kidney failure and die, leading to a significant drop in their numbers.
  • Habitat Loss:
    • As human populations expand, natural habitats are being encroached upon, reducing the areas where vultures can safely live and breed.
  • Electrocution:
    • Vultures are often electrocuted when they come into contact with power lines, a growing threat as more areas are electrified.
  • Food Scarcity:
    • Changes in livestock management practices and declining wildlife populations have led to a decrease in available food sources for vultures.
  • Human Disturbances:
    • Increased human activities, including urbanization and industrialization, have disturbed vulture habitats, making it harder for these birds to thrive.

Objectives of Vulture Count 2024

• The primary goal of Vulture Count 2024 is to systematically monitor vulture populations across India.
• By gathering comprehensive baseline data, the initiative aims to:
  • Track Population Trends: Understanding how vulture populations are changing over time is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
  • Identify Critical Habitats: By mapping where vultures are most commonly found, conservationists can focus their efforts on protecting these key areas.
  • Assess Environmental Impacts: Analyzing how various environmental factors affect vulture populations will help in developing targeted conservation strategies.
  • Raise Public Awareness: Engaging the public in vulture conservation efforts is essential for gaining widespread support and ensuring the long-term success of these initiatives.

Involvement of Volunteers and Citizen Scientists

• Vulture Count 2024 presents a unique opportunity for citizen scientists, bird enthusiasts, and local communities to actively contribute to conservation efforts.
• Volunteers will be trained in birdwatching and documentation to accurately count and record vulture sightings.
• This approach not only helps gather essential data but also educates the public about the importance of vultures in the ecosystem.
• The participation of dedicated volunteers is crucial for the success of the initiative.
• The data collected through these efforts will be instrumental in guiding future conservation strategies.

Focus on Key Vulture Species

• The count will focus on several key vulture species that are either critically endangered or vulnerable. These include:
  • White-rumped Vulture
  • Red-headed Vulture
  • Indian Vulture
  • Bearded Vulture
  • Slender-billed Vulture
  • Himalayan Griffon
  • Eurasian Griffon
  • Egyptian Vulture
  • Cinereous Vulture
• By focusing on these species, WWF-India aims to gather detailed information on their population status and habitat requirements, which will be vital for their conservation.

Red-headed vulture

• This is one of the 9 species of Vulture which are found in India
• It is also called the Asian King vulture or Pondicherry Vulture was extensively found in India but its numbers drastically reduced after diclofenac poisoning.
• Conservation status
• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1

White-rumped Vulture

• The white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is an Old World vulture native to South and Southeast Asia.
• It has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2000, as the population severely declined.
• White-rumped vultures die of kidney failure caused by diclofenac poisoning.
• As of 2021, the global population was estimated at less than 6,000 mature individuals.

Indian Vulture

• The Indian vulture or long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus) is a bird of prey native to the Indian subcontinent.
• It is an Old World vulture belonging to the family of Accipitridae.
• It is a medium-sized vulture with a small, semi-bald head with little feathers, long beak, and wide dark colored wings.
• It breeds mainly on small cliffs and hilly crags in central India and south India.
• The Indian vulture is a keystone species that has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2002, as the population has severely declined during the Indian vulture crisis.

WWF

• WWF stands for World Widelife Fund for Nature.
• It was established in 1961 and is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland.
• It was originally known as the World Wildlife Fund, but in 1986 it was changed to highlight the full scope of its work.
• WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
• To do this, WWF works with a broad spectrum of partners including governments, industry, and local communities to find solutions to the challenges that face our natural world.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/vulture-count-2024-wwf-india-launches-tracking-initiative-to-take-stock-of-natures-sanitation-workers