Photo credit: Nidhin Poothully
The Indian Vulture, Gyps indicus, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This robust and scruffy scavenger used to be found in villages, towns, and cities near cultivated and wooded areas in south-eastern Pakistan and India.
Like other vultures species, the Indian Vulture has suffered serious declines since the late 1990s, losing as much as 99 percent of its population. Vultures were discovered to be suffering from kidney failure following the consumption of cattle that had been previously treated with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. As a result of reduced vulture numbers, rotting animal carcasses now remain untouched, causing health hazards, as well as encouraging feral dog populations which may carry rabies.
Strong government commitment has been given to the prevention of any use of this drug and for its complete removal from the environment, but supplies are still being used, sometimes in ignorance of their effects. The Indian Vulture will also benefit from a new captive breeding programme, raised awareness, and further monitoring.
Geographic Range of the Indian Vulture
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Indian Vulture, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species by clicking their logo below.
To learn more about Bush Warriors’ “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our educational initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.
