Death of a Himalayan Vulture in South India highlights the potential threat of  power infrastructure

Manigandan, S.; Kannan, Prameek M.; Byju, H.; Bharathidasan, S.; Thambi, Cimi; Ramakrishnan, B.

doi:10.4314/vulnew.v80i1.3

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Road transect surveys showed the presence of all four vulture species present in the area: G. bengalensis, G. indicus, S. calvus and N. percnopterus. However, it was not possible to record any vagrant species during the entire 36 months of survey, even though there were reports of a possible electrocution death of the Himalayan griffon vulture (Manigandan et al 2021b). Even though the encounter rate decreased from 2019 to 2021 (from 1.23 to 0.96 individuals per km) in the study area, G. bengalensis maintained the largest population throughout the study.…”

Section: Neophron Percnopterusmentioning

confidence: 91%

Assessing the accuracy of population estimation methods for vulture populations: a case study from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Manigandan,

Byju,

Kannan

2023

EEB

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two resident and two local migratory vulture species are reported in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The early population estimates from the region are either scanty or crude. Vulture population estimation was performed using three different methods based on their breeding seasons and regional movements between 2019 and 2021. Road transect counts, nest counts, and carcass monitoring counts were used for population assessments. The road transect survey and nest site counting during the breeding season were conducted in all three years, while carcass monitoring was done in 2019 – 2020. For population estimation, three nest site colony counts were conducted for the resident Gyps bengalensis and for Gyps indicus. The other two methods, carcass monitoring and the road transect survey, were used for all four focal vulture species of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve – Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus, Neophron percnopterus and Sarcogyps calvus. Significant variation in vulture population count was observed with different assessment methods.

show abstract

Section: Neophron Percnopterusmentioning

confidence: 91%

Assessing the accuracy of population estimation methods for vulture populations: a case study from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Manigandan,

Byju,

Kannan

2023

EEB

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Interestingly, the fatality of a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was observed under powerlines, apparently a result of electrocution in NBR (Manigandan et al 2021) with a burning smell of tissues reported although no tissue testing was done due to a lack of facilities.…”

Section: Evidence Of Other Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring observations of the southernmost breeding population of Long-billed Vultures Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786) (Aves: Acciptriformes: Accipitridae) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

S. Manigandan,

H. Byju,

P. Kannan

2024

J. Threat. Taxa

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Long-billed Vulture (LBV) population was systematically monitored across four nesting colonies in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) throughout three extended breeding seasons. Breeding success rates between years ranged from 83.33% in 2018–2019 and 62.5% in 2020–2021. Nesting was monitored at the cliff sites, consistent with prior research. Overall population fluctuations were minimal, varying between 21 individuals in 2020–2021, 17 individuals in 2018–2019, and 16 individuals in 2019–2020. There was an apparent impact of forest fires and other human disturbance activities, and certain proactive conservation measures are proposed to help address these. There was indirect evidence of other threats including poison baits targeting wild carnivores and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being widely available for use in domestic livestock. The study endorses the approach of establishing vulture-safe zones, which focus on addressing the local threats. This includes raising awareness about wildfire management, controlling toxic NSAIDs availability that are harmful to vultures, discouraging the illegal use of poison-baits, and highlighting the necessity of monitoring threats posed by power infrastructure. Due to the high mobility of LBVs, all these threats need addressing through large-scale vulture safe zone work (up to 100 km radius) surrounding the breeding colonies to secure the LBV’s long-term survival. These conservation actions are urgently needed.

show abstract

“…Inadvertent poisoning is another serious risk to vultures that has not gotten much attention from scientific research. The intentional poisoning of carcasses as retaliation (Harris 2013) and the construction of electrical infrastructure that can electrocute birds (Manigandan et al 2021) have resulted in a notable loss of vultures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmonizing ecology and society: an integrated analysis of vulture conservation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

S. Manigandan,

H. Byju,

P. Kannan

2024

J. Threat. Taxa

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in southern India is home to several critically endangered vulture species. This study in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve of NBR presents an integrated analysis of vulture conservation efforts focusing on harmonizing ecosystem preservation and community engagement. We assessed the current status of all four vulture species in the NBR using the road transect method, covering 2,040 km with 24 replications (January–December 2021). We undertook covert surveys in 82 veterinary pharmacies across four districts of Tamil Nadu to determine the availability of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), considering the 100-km vulture safe zone that included vulture nesting and foraging areas. As practical conservation efforts require active local community participation, our assessments include the perception study of local communities in 20 villages (eight tribal and 12 non-tribal) near vulture habitats. We focused on NSAID usage, considering the impact of numerous socio-economic factors on vulture conservation efforts. We surveyed 540 respondents using detailed questionnaires for these evaluations. The study underlined the need for a comprehensive vulture management plan that balances ecological concerns with the well-being and means of subsistence of surrounding communities. This study is helpful for future conservation efforts in other areas with comparable problems at the nexus of ecology and society.

show abstract

Death of a Himalayan Vulture in South India highlights the potential threat of power infrastructure

Abstract: No Abstract.

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Assessing the accuracy of population estimation methods for vulture populations: a case study from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Assessing the accuracy of population estimation methods for vulture populations: a case study from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Monitoring observations of the southernmost breeding population of Long-billed Vultures Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786) (Aves: Acciptriformes: Accipitridae) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

Harmonizing ecology and society: an integrated analysis of vulture conservation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About