Himalayan Vulture Bred In Captivity First Time In India

Source: The Hindu
GS III: Environmental Conseration

Overview

1. About Himalayan Vulture
2. How it helps

Why in News?

Researchers have recorded the first instance of captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) in India at the Assam State Zoo, Guwahati.

About Himalayan Vulture

• The Himalayan Vulture, also known as the Himalayan Griffon Vulture or the Himalayan White-rumped Vulture, is a large bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family.
• It is a resident species found in the mountainous regions of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.
• The Himalayan vulture is a common winter migrant to the Indian plains, and a resident of the high Himalayas.

Details about the Himalayan Vulture

1. Scientific Name: Gyps himalayensis
2. Physical Description
   • The Himalayan Vulture is a large vulture with a wingspan ranging from 2.6 to 3.1 meters (8.5 to 10.2 feet) and a body length of about 94 to 104 centimeters (37 to 41 inches).
   • It has a predominantly white body with a distinct rufous or reddish-brown nape and upper wings.
   • The tail is white with a broad black band near the end.
   • The head is covered in white feathers with a dark eye patch, and the hooked beak is pale in color.
3. Habitat
   • The Himalayan Vulture is mainly found in high-altitude regions, particularly in the Himalayan mountain range.
   • It inhabits open, rocky areas, cliffs, and steep slopes, which provide ideal nesting sites and vantage points for spotting carrion to feed on.
4. Diet
   • As a scavenger, the Himalayan Vulture primarily feeds on carrion, which includes the carcasses of large mammals like domestic livestock, wild ungulates, and occasionally even human remains.
   • They play a vital ecological role in the ecosystem by cleaning up and recycling decaying organic matter.
5. Behavior
   • Himalayan Vultures are often seen soaring high in the sky on thermal currents, using their excellent vision to locate food.
   • They are highly social birds and are often seen in large groups at feeding sites.
6. Conservation Status
   • The Himalayan Vulture, like many other vulture species, has faced significant population declines due to several factors, including the use of the drug diclofenac in cattle, which is toxic to vultures when they consume the carcasses.
   • As a result, the species is listed as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
7. Conservation Efforts
   • Conservation efforts have been undertaken to protect the Himalayan Vulture and its habitat.
   • Initiatives include banning the use of diclofenac in veterinary treatments and establishing vulture-safe zones where vultures can feed on uncontaminated carcasses.

Challenges

• The Himalayan Vulture is an iconic bird of prey with a vital ecological role in the Himalayan ecosystem.
• It faces significant conservation challenges, but ongoing efforts aim to secure its future and promote the conservation of these majestic birds.

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