The New Indian Express ·
Awareness on vulture-safe drugs crucial to protect species: Study
COIMBATORE: A three-year study conducted by Arulagam, an NGO involved in vulture conservation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), between 2023 and 2026, has highlighted the need to raise awareness in the veterinary sector of the potentially harmful impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on vultures in the Coimbatore, Erode and Nilgiris districts. The findings also suggested that the Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department should promote ethnoveterinary practices as a sustainable, cost-effective approach to reducing dependence on conventional veterinary treatments.
The study showed that the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) remains the main breeding ground for white-rumped vultures, with nine nesting sites along the riverbanks recorded. The MTR and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) also provide vital nesting habitats for Indian vultures and solitary red-headed vultures. The presence of large mixed-species foraging and roosting congregations, accounting for up to 36.8% of individuals in STR, further indicates the landscape's high carrying capacity.
"Systematic vulture surveys were conducted between 2024 and 2026 across 46 sites in MTR and 36 sites in STR. In MTR, the highest vulture encounter rate was recorded in the Segur Range (12.1%), with the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) being the most frequently encountered species across the surveyed sites. In STR, Sulthanpet Camp, located in the Thalamalai Range, recorded the highest encounter rate (16.1%), indicating its significance as an important vulture congregation area," said S Bharathidasan, secretary of Arulagam.
Survey of veterinary pharmacies found that meloxicam was available in all of the pharmacies surveyed, indicating the widespread adoption of vulture-safe alternatives for treating livestock. Notably, no instances of diclofenac being available or sold were documented in Tamil Nadu during the survey period. However, this must be ensured in neighbouring areas, said Bharathidasan.
He added that community-based interventions promoting traditional livestock healthcare practices had shown encouraging results, with around 203 cattle owners adopting ethno-veterinary practices as part of their routine livestock management. In addition, the research team has proposed that GPS tagging is essential in the current context.
The study identified four interconnected threats that contribute to the vulnerability of vulture populations. These include poisoning caused by pesticides and chemicals entering the food chain, and the deliberate poisoning of carcasses in retaliation, collisions and electrocution caused by high-tension power lines, changes in carcass disposal methods and livestock-rearing practices, which reduce food availability for scavengers. The growing population of stray dogs at carcass disposal sites, which results in intense feeding competition and the physical exclusion of vultures from food resources, as well as increased risks of disease transmission
1. Surveys were conducted for 298 days.
2. Of the 144 vulture nests recorded, 137 were located on Arjuna trees.
3. The White-rumped Vulture was the most frequently encountered species across both landscapes.
4. Breeding results indicate a positive population trend, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring of nesting colonies.
5. Vulture survival depends on a steady supply of safe carcasses, including roadkill and naturally deceased livestock. A scientifically managed carcass disposal system is essential to ensure these food resources remain accessible to vultures.