Tamil Nadu has witnessed a steady rise in Vulture numbers according to a Synchronised Vulture Survey-2025 census report conducted by the Forest department, report of which was released on Friday.Vultures provide extremely important ecosystem services in our natural, agricultural and rural environments, especially for recycling of nutrients through highly efficient organic waste disposal as obligate scavengers.
The decline in the population of white rumped vultures, long billed vultures, red-headed vultures and slender billed vultures over last three decades in the country have led to their inclusion as critically endangered species, an official release said.
The Tamil Nadu Government has taken a number of steps for conservation of vulture including implementing ban on diclofenac, nimesulide, conserving the habitats and population monitoring.
The Synchronized Vulture Survey for the year 2025 was organized in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
It was coordinated with Kerala and Karnataka Forest Department by Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
The Survey covered Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.
This is the 3rd landscape level synchronized population estimation and was conducted on February 27 and 28.
Vantage point count methodology was used with a total of 106 locations in all the three states, with Tamil Nadu alone having 33 vantage points.
The analysis of data gave an estimated population of vultures as 390 over the landscape in the year 2024-2025.
The Synchronized vulture survey conducted last year 2023-24 had estimated a total of 320 individuals. This indicates a steady increase of vulture population in the landscape.
A total of 157 vultures were recorded in Tamil Nadu, showing an increasing trend in vulture population in Tamil Nadu with the White-Rumped vulture being the most abundant species, accounting for 110.
Following closely were the Long-billed vulture with 31 individuals, the Red-headed vulture with 11 individuals and Egyptian vulture 5 individuals.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is home to significant breeding population of vultures. From the recent survey, there are 8 locations with 60 active nests, hosting an estimated population of 120 vultures.
This population comprises mainly White-rumped Vultures (108), followed by Long-billed Vultures (10), and Red-headed Vultures (2). Notably, 34 chicks were also recorded, indicating a thriving breeding ground.
Red Headed vulture nest was recorded for the first time in southern India at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, the release said.
Senior Officers of the TN Government, Members of State Board for Wildlife, Members of Tamil Nadu State level Committee for Vulture Conservation, Experts, volunteers doing research on vultures and independent researches and Birders from all over the state participated in the census operation.
The census report was released by Dr. K. Ponmudy, Minister for Forests today in the presence of Ms Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden and members of Tamil Nadu State Level Committee for Vulture Conservation committee.