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Long-billed Vulture

19-10-2024

07:40 AM

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1 min read
Long-billed Vulture Blog Image

Overview:

A study published recently has highlighted that the population of the critically endangered long-billed vulture has seen a steady increase between 2015 and 2021, with the species exhibiting a 74% breeding success rate in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

About Long-billed Vulture:

  • It is an old World vulture native to the Asian region.
  • They are also known as Indian long-billed vultures due to their comparatively longer beak. 
  • It is a medium-sized and bulky scavenger feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals.
  • Females of this species are smaller than males.
  • Habitat: They are usually found in savannas and other open habitats around villages, cities, and near cultivated areas.
  • Distribution: These are native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
  • Conservation status
    • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Threats: The Indian vulture has suffered a 97-99% population decrease due to poisoning caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac. This drug is toxic for vultures; it was given to working animals as it reduced joint pain and so kept them working for longer. 

Key facts about Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

  • It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North.
  • Vegetation: A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands and swamps are found here.
  • Flora: The Reserve has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, Bamboo of the giant variety, valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
  • Fauna: Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine etc. 

Q1: What are scavengers?

A scavenger is an organism that mostly consumes decaying biomass, such as meat or rotting plant material. 

News: Long-billed vulture’s nesting success rate high in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve