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Gyps indicus
– 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 indicus
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Species Authority:
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(Scopoli, 1786)
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Common Name/s:
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INDIAN VULTURE (Eng)
VAUTOUR INDIEN (Fre)
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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 redefined species is classified as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, 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 indicus breeds in south-east Pakistan (where it is rare although a 200-250 pair colony was discovered in 2003 in Sindh Province, Pakistan3) and peninsular India south of the Gangetic plain, north to Delhi, east through Madhya Pradesh, south to the Nilgiris, and occasionally further south. It was common until very recently, but severe population declines (>90%2) have been noted since the late 1990s.
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Range Map:
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 (click for detailed map)
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Countries:
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Native:
India (Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala - possibly extinct regionally, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh); Pakistan
Vagrant:
Afghanistan; Malaysia
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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 is found in cities, towns and villages near cultivated areas, and in open and wooded areas. This species feeds almost entirely on carrion, and often associates with the White-rumped Vulture G. bengalensis when scavenging at rubbish dumps and slaughterhouses. It nests almost exclusively in small colonies on cliffs and ruins, although in one area, where cliffs are absent, it has been reported nesting in trees.
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System:
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Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine
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List of Habitats:
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| 1.5 | Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry |
| 2.1 | Savanna - Dry |
| 3.5 | Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry |
| 4.5 | Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry |
| 14.5 | Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas |
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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 Pakistan and throughout 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.
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List of Threats:
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| 1.1.1.3 | Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Crops - Agro-industry farming (ongoing) |
| 6.2.1 | Pollution (affecting habitat and/or species) - Land pollution - Agriculture (ongoing) |
| 8.5 | Changes in native species dynamics - Pathogens/parasites (ongoing) |
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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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List of Conservation Actions:
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| 1.1.1 | Policy-based actions - Management plans - Development (in place, needed) |
| 1.2.1.2 | Policy-based actions - Legislation - Development - National level (in place, needed) |
| 2.2 | Communication and Education - Awareness (in place, needed) |
| 3.2 | Research actions - Population numbers and range (in place, needed) |
| 3.5 | Research actions - Threats (in place, needed) |
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Bibliography
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Bibliography:
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Baillie, J. and Groombridge, B. (compilers and editors) 1996. 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. Bird Reference Citations. The numbers inserted in the text accounts above (usually in bold) refer to references. For further details on these references, click on the BirdLife International link above to go to the specific species account on the BirdLife web site. In some cases, particularly in the taxonomic notes, the references are cited using the author names. Details for these can be found on the BirdLife International web site at the following two places:
For References from A–L.
For References from M–Z. BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened Birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. BirdLife International. 2004 Threatened Birds of the World 2004. CD-ROM. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K. IUCN. 2002. 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 8 October 2002.
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