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Sighting of
Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus and conservation of
vultures in North Madhya Pradesh, India
S. R. Taigor
Conservation Biology Unit, School of Studies in Zoology,
Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India.
E-mail:
srtchambal@gmail.com.
Accepted 18 November, 2009 |
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Vultures, nature’s most efficient scavengers, are on the
verge of extinction. Nine species of vultures were recorded
from the Indian sub-continent, of which, five belong to the
genus Gyps while the others are monotypic.
Historically, and until recently, the White-backed vulture
Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed vulture Gyps indicus
and Slender-billed Gyps tenuirostris vultures were by
far the most populous species in India. Over the last
decade, however, there has been a drastic crash in the
populations of these vultures over most parts of the
country. Eurasian Griffon was recorded for the first time on
21 February, 2008 in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya
Pradesh. Study carried out from March, 2003 - December, 2008
has claimed, sightings and nesting sites of vultures in (Sheopur,
Morena Datia, Gwalior and Tikamgarh district) north Madhya
Pradesh, India were recorded.
Key words:
Vulture, Gyps spp., Kuno, sanctuary, scavenger. |
