A two-day synchronized vulture census has commenced in Tamil Nadu with the support of neighboring states Kerala and Karnataka. The large-scale survey aims to assess vulture populations across seven protected areas, covering 106 designated census points across the three states.
In Tamil Nadu alone, the census is being conducted at 33 locations with the participation of 220 individuals, including forest department staff, vulture experts, NGOs, students, and volunteers. The survey employs the vantage point count and nest-count methods to monitor vulture numbers and breeding activity.
Tamil Nadu is home to a significant breeding population of oriental white-rumped vultures, along with other species such as the long-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, Egyptian vulture, Himalayan Griffon, and Cinereous vulture. The synchronized census plays a crucial role in tracking long-term population trends and shaping conservation strategies for these critically endangered birds.
IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared the development on her social media platform X, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in wildlife conservation. The census is expected to provide vital data to aid vulture protection measures and reinforce conservation initiatives in the region.
The two day synchronized vulture census has begun in Tamil Nadu with the cooperation of neighbouring states viz. Kerala and Karnataka. The survey will cover 7 protected areas known for vulture populations, with 106 census points across the three states. In Tamil Nadu alone, 33… pic.twitter.com/7rV6iDk8pt
— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) February 27, 2025
