Experts call for urgent action to save endangered Egyptian Vultures in Rayalaseema

There is currently an ecological crisis unfolding in the rocky hill ranges of Sri Sathya Sai district; Here the endangered Egyptian Vulture, once common in the Rayalaseema skies, is now nearing the brink of local extinction, raising significant concerns among wildlife experts and conservationists.

Known for its role as nature’s cleaners, the Egyptian Vulture has suffered a steep decline in India in the last two decades. In the dry scrub forests and rugged cliffs near Ratnagiri Fort in Rolla Mandal in Sri Sathya Sai District near the border with Karnataka, researchers fear that the species may be fighting its last fight to survive in the region.

The species, listed as “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, face threats from habitat destruction, electrocution on high voltage power lines, shrinkage of food sources, accidental poisoning and increasing human encroachment on fragile hill ecosystems.

With its high rocky slopes and semi-arid terrain, Ratnagiri Fort has long provided ideal nesting conditions for vultures and other birds of prey. During 2015-16, the hill range came to the attention of wildlife scientists after Anantapur-based photographer V. Jayachandra documented Egyptian Vultures there. This sighting later revived hopes that the species could still recover in the drought-prone lands of Rayalaseema.

Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur. VV Bala Subramanyam said new field observations made in the last three years showed that the observations had once again fallen sharply. Uncontrolled quarrying, reckless walking near nesting cliffs and disturbances caused by increased human activity are steadily destroying the birds’ remaining shelters, he said.

“Our research has been carried out with funds from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Although the project is primarily on the impacts of windmills on the path of migratory birds, as a collaborative effort we can focus on the Egyptian Vulture habitat, comprehensively covering Hindupur, Rolla, Roddam and Penukonda districts of the combined Anantapur district,” he said.

The researcher said wildlife experts and officials at the Center and State levels have been appealed for urgent intervention, including scientific population surveys, protection of nesting microhabitats, installation of bird diverters on hazardous power lines and creation of “safe feeding zones for vultures”. He said no further research could be done on the subject due to lack of funds.

Bala Subramanyam stated that awareness campaigns among farmers and shepherd communities are recommended to prevent poisoning of the Egyptian Vulture species. This poisoning results from the contamination of food sources and the disposal of dead livestock carcasses due to excessive veterinary drug use.

“The disappearance of vultures could have serious ecological consequences, including poor disposal of carcasses and increased disease risks in rural ecosystems,” he said, adding that the Rayalaseema region may still preserve Egyptian Vulture species despite the fragile natural heritage that persists in its ancient hills.