Southern India’s vulture populations are under the spotlight as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka forest officials launch a joint census across the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve on March 7 and 8. Covering premier habitats like Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Wayanad sanctuaries, the exercise aims to gauge the health of these critically endangered birds in one of their last refuges.
Following a surge in sightings from prior surveys—from 320 to 390 vultures last time—this initiative promises deeper insights. Officials are particularly excited about a newfound nest in Mudumalai’s core area, prompting focused surveillance at eight strategic spots to track breeding patterns.
Survey protocols emphasize precision: teams will log activity times, flight directions, and nest statuses across 4,670 square kilometers. Last year’s tally included 75 active nests, underscoring the region’s breeding significance. With tools like compasses and data sheets ensuring uniformity, results will fuel targeted protections.
India hosts nine vulture species, seven in Tamil Nadu alone, including residents like the white-backed vulture and migrants like the Eurasian griffon. The Nilgiris supports both, offering safe breeding grounds and stopovers amid a national decline driven by toxins and development.
Karnataka teams target Bandipur, Nagarhole, and BRT reserves; Kerala focuses on Wayanad; Tamil Nadu covers Mudumalai, Satyamangalam, and Tirunelveli. This collaborative push reflects growing inter-state synergy in wildlife conservation.
Beyond numbers, the census highlights vultures’ irreplaceable role in ecosystems as nature’s cleaners. As climate and human pressures mount, these findings could steer policies to bolster recovery, painting a hopeful picture for soaring vulture flocks over the Western Ghats.