Egyptian vultures are closer to local extinction in Rayalaseema: Experts urge immediate conservation action

The endangered Egyptian Vulture is threatened with local extinction in the Rayalaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, posing a concern to conservationists, scientists, and wildlife experts. Although once a common sight soaring around the rocky and dry terrain of the Sri Sathya Sai district, the bird has experienced a massive population decline in recent times as a result of habitat loss, quarrying, electrocution by high-tension wires, and poisoning by livestock carcasses laced with toxins. Scientists at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, funded by the Department of Biotechnology (Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India), have recommended immediate conservation steps such as creating safe feed areas for the birds, conducting scientific counts of their populations, and protecting their habitats. The Egyptian vulture, commonly referred to scientifically as Neophron percnopterus, is regarded as an "endangered" species by the IUCN Red List, while, legally, under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, the vulture species falls within Schedule I of the list for maximum protection.However, despite its high legal status, according to researchers, the Egyptian Vulture species is fast becoming extinct in some parts of the Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh. Studies carried out by researchers on vulture habitats in and around Ratnagiri Fort in Sri Sathya Sai district have pointed out the extinction of this bird from their usual habitat."Here, we suggest the urgent implementation of measures for monitoring population sizes and reproduction of vultures," noted the conservationists in a study titled Status and Distribution of Vultures in Andhra Pradesh, India.In one recent evaluation carried out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), electrocutions of vultures along overhead electric power lines and poisoning from livestock carcasses treated with veterinary medicines have been indicated as two major threats to vultures in India.“Nesting grounds of the Egyptian vulture have to be protected immediately before the bird becomes extinct locally,” warned the researchers who conducted the study sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. “In parts of Andhra Pradesh, the Egyptian vulture is on the brink of becoming locally extinct.”Vultures are referred to as nature’s scavengers due to their ability to clean dead bodies at a fast rate and hence to stop any disease outbreak before it starts. It was stated by the Animal Demography and Ecology Unit, Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMEDEA), Spain, that the importance of vultures lies in the regulation and maintenance services, such as waste recycling and disease control. Cultural services attributed to vultures are moderate and vary regionally. Provisioning services are consistently rated low across all regions. Experts’ views on vultures' key ecosystem roles are often biased toward well-known services and may not align with all scientific evidence.The decline of vultures’ population is something which has been reported by scientists from the Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Researchers say that the collapse of vulture populations is attributable to veterinary use of the diclofenac drug, which causes death in various vulture species.It has been reported in a conservation article entitled ‘The global contribution of vultures towards ecosystem services and sustainability: An experts’ perspective’ by the scientists that ‘vultures are essential to ecosystems as they consume carrion and prevent disease transmission’. Scientists add that the disappearance of vultures increases the chances of getting diseases such as rabies and anthrax, among others.Egyptian vultures, according to the experts, play both ecological and cultural significance, especially in the arid areas in south India such as Rayalaseema.Both the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and the Union Government are being pressured by conservation bodies and wildlife researchers to take urgent recovery actions.Some of the urgent suggestions include:Vulture Safe Zones also deserve attention from conservationists. The monitored landscapes will ensure safe food and reduce the danger of drug and human interaction for these birds.Dr Sujit Narwade highlighted the significance of “scientific and inter-agency efforts for vulture recovery in India. Establishing Vulture Safe Zones and improving carcass management are vital for these birds to thrive and maintain their ecological roles, addressing emerging threats specific to local conditions.”Vulture researchers are of the view that there is still hope in terms of the survival of the Egyptian Vulture at Rayalaseema in the case of immediate action. Otherwise, the delay can cause the complete extinction of this species in the area.According to environmentalists, the threat to Egyptian Vultures is indicative of greater issues concerning biodiversity that are plaguing the dryland ecosystem of Rayalaseema. With mining activities, destruction of natural habitats and improper development of infrastructure posing increasing threats to biodiversity.Saving the Egyptian Vulture, according to conservationists, does not merely mean conserving one species, but ensuring ecological stability before more harm befalls the ecosystem.While experts have continued raising alarms, most now feel that the fate of the Egyptian vultures in Andhra Pradesh lies in the implementation of conservation measures.