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Gyps tenuirostris
– Critically Endangered
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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AVES
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Order:
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FALCONIFORMES
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Family:
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ACCIPITRIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Gyps tenuirostris
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Species Authority:
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Gray, 1844
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Common Name/s:
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| English | — | SLENDER-BILLED VULTURE |
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Taxonomic Notes:
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Gyps indicus (Sibley and Monroe, 1990, 1993) has been split into G. indicus and G. tenuirostris following Rasmussen and Parry (2001).
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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CR A2ce+3ce ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2004
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Assessor/s:
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BirdLife International
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Evaluator/s:
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Benstead, P. & Butchart, S. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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This recently recognised species is classified as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, particularly across the Indian subcontinent, probably as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac, perhaps in combination with other causes.
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History:
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| 2002 | - | Critically Endangered (IUCN 2002) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Gyps tenuirostris is found in India north of, and including, the Gangetic plain, west to at least Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, south to southern West Bengal (and possibly northern Orissa), east through the plains of Assam, and through southern Nepal, north and central Bangladesh, and Myanmar (except the north). It once occurred in South-East Asia, but it is now thought to be extinct in Thailand and Malaysia, and the only recent records are from Cambodia and southern Laos. Considerable confusion over the taxonomy and identification of Gyps vultures has occurred, making it difficult to be sure of claims for this species. However, it appears to be allopatric or parapatric with Indian Vulture G. indicus where their ranges abut (or potentially do so) in northern India. It was once common, but in South-East Asia populations declined through the latter half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, and are now probably very small and restricted in distribution. Small numbers were recorded during a recent survey in Shan State (Myanmar)2. In India and Nepal, the species was common until very recently, with very sharp population declines noted in the last few years.
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Range Map:
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 (click for detailed map)
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Countries:
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Native:
Bangladesh; Cambodia; India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Haryana - possibly extinct regionally, Himachal Pradesh - possibly extinct regionally, Meghalaya - possibly extinct regionally, Orissa, Sikkim - possibly extinct regionally, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal - possibly extinct regionally); Lao People's Democratic Republic; Myanmar; Nepal
Regionally extinct:
Malaysia; Thailand; Viet Nam
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Population
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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It inhabits dry open country in the vicinity of human habitation, but also breeding in open country far from villages. In South-East Asia it was found in open and partly wooded country, generally in the lowlands. This species feeds almost entirely on carrion, scavenging at rubbish dumps and slaughterhouses. It has only been recorded nesting in trees, usually large ones (often Ficus), usually at a height of 7-14 m, often near villages.
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System:
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Terrestrial
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Threats
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Threats:
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By mid-2000, Gyps vultures were being found dead and dying in Nepal and India, and major declines and local extirpations were being reported. Early evidence suggested that a viral disease may have been the causal agent, but there is now strong evidence that Gyps vultures are fatally susceptible to veterinary painkillers containing Diclofenac1. Further research is required. Other suggested factors are changes in human consumption and processing of dead livestock, and massive poison and pesticide use, but these are only likely to be of minor significance. East of India, the near-total disappearance of the species pre-dated the present crisis, and probably results from the rarity there of large wild mammals and human consumption of deceased livestock.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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Conservation measures underway:
CITES Appendix II. CMS Appendix II. It has been reported from many protected areas across its range.
Conservation measures proposed:
Identify the location and number of remaining individuals and identify action required to prevent extinction. Measure the frequency of diclofenac treated carcasses available to vultures. Establish a study group to coordinate collection and analysis of data and compile an action plan for Asian vultures. Gain government commitment to control veterinary use of diclofenac, and support species management or restoration, as needed. Initiate public awareness and public support programmes.
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