Disappearing Guardians of the Skies: Vultures Lose 72 % of Their Historical Nesting Sites in India

A major new assessment by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has found that vultures in India have vanished from nearly 72 % of their historically documented nesting sites. Down To Earth This sobering discovery highlights the fragile state of some of the country’s most critical scavenger species, and underlines the urgent need for conservation action.

Key Findings

• WII’s survey examined 425 historically known nesting sites of four critically endangered resident vulture species across 25 states. Down To Earth+1
• Of those 425 sites, only 120 locations were found to have active nesting during the survey period (February 2023 to January 2025). Down To Earth
• An additional 93 new nesting sites were identified in the survey, bringing the total to 213. However even with those, the historic footprint has dramatically shrunk. Down To Earth
• Some species are more affected than others:
• The Slender‑billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) has lost all 47 previously known nesting sites. Down To Earth
• The White‑rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) appears at only about 13 % of its earlier sites (~69 of 238 historic) according to one breakdown. Down To Earth
• Geographically, the remaining active nests are now heavily concentrated: about 63 % of all vulture nests recorded reside in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and over 60 % of all nests are within protected areas (PAs). Down To Earth

Why It Matters

Vultures play a critical ecological role: they are nature’s cleanup crew, consuming animal carcasses and thereby limiting the spread of disease and helping nutrient cycling. When their populations collapse, cascading effects can follow—from increased carcass persistence, to rises in feral dog numbers, to heightened human–wildlife conflict and zoonotic risks. (Similar patterns have been documented in Africa, where vulture declines of 50–90 % have had serious ecosystem consequences.) National Geographic+1

In the Indian context, the dramatic retreat of nesting vultures signals not just population decline, but also a breakdown in the geographic distribution of viable breeding sites—a worrying sign for long‑term sustainability.

Root Causes of the Decline

According to the WII assessment and prior studies, the decline is driven by multiple interacting threats:

• Toxic veterinary drugs: The NSAID (non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug) Diclofenac, when used in cattle, is extremely toxic to vultures feeding on carcasses. Earlier this was identified as a major driver of collapse in vulture populations in India. wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in+1
• Habitat degradation and tree loss: Nesting trees suitable for vultures are declining in many areas; this undermines their ability to breed successfully. For example, in south India, loss of key tree species such as Terminalia arjuna has reduced nest availability. The New Indian Express
• Food availability and carcass management: Access to safe carrion (animal carcasses free from harmful drugs) is increasingly compromised—either because carcasses are removed, processed, or contaminated. The WII survey notes that many carcass‑dumping sites no longer see vulture use. Down To Earth
• Disturbance and feral animals: In some nesting and feeding areas, feral dogs and other predators interfere with vulture access or nesting success. For example, the report cites “proliferation of feral dogs at carcass dump sites … directly obstruct[ing] vultures’ access to carrion”. Down To Earth
• Concentration in protected areas: The fact that most of the remaining nests are in PAs suggests that outside these managed sites, vultures face even higher threats. This concentration raises vulnerability to localized disaster or further pressure.

Implications for Conservation and Policy

The findings of the WII assessment have several implications:

1. Urgent site‑based conservation: The loss of nesting sites means each remaining active site is more vital. Ensuring protection—and potentially restoration—of tree/roost habitat and minimizing disturbance becomes critical.
2. Safe food networks: Conservation must ensure that carcass disposal systems provide safe food supplies (free of banned drugs) and are accessible to vultures. Carcass management should be integrated into vulture‑friendly planning.
3. Drug regulation and veterinary oversight: Continued vigilance is required to enforce bans on toxic NSAIDs, monitor novel harmful drugs, and provide safe veterinary alternatives.
4. Monitoring and data‑collection: The survey establishes a baseline but continued monitoring is needed to track trends, potentially adaptively manage interventions, and detect recovery (or further decline).
5. Landscape connectivity and colonisation potential: Because vultures have vanished from many sites, natural recolonisation may be slow. Strategic efforts may be needed to restore or re‑establish nesting sites, including engaging local communities and forest departments.
6. Public awareness and community engagement: Local stakeholders—farmers, veterinary practitioners, forest staff, and local communities—play a crucial role in managing carcasses, protecting nesting trees, and reducing disturbance. Awareness of vultures’ ecological role can bolster support.
7. Risk of ecological cascades: The reduction of vultures may increase dependence on other scavengers (e.g., feral dogs, rats) with potential implications for disease spread and human–wildlife conflict. Pre‑emptive planning is advisable.

A Glimmer of Hope

While the situation is dire, the fact that 93 new nesting locations were identified means vultures are still retaining some ability to colonise or use alternative sites. That offers some hope, provided conservation action is timely and effective. Down To Earth

Moreover, pockets of relative success (for example in south India where counts have risen in certain reserves) suggest that targeted local interventions can work. The New Indian Express

Conclusion

The WII assessment clearly shows that India’s vultures—once widespread and abundant—are now confined to far fewer breeding sites. With nearly three‑quarters of historical nesting locations abandoned, the margin for error is narrow. The species involved—such as the White‑rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) and Slender‑billed Vulture—continue to remain Critically Endangered.

The path forward requires coordinated efforts spanning drug regulation, habitat conservation, carcass management, community engagement, and systematic monitoring. Without such action, we risk losing these unique avian scavengers and the crucial ecosystem services they provide.

Here are the sources I extracted and used to compile the article:

1. Down To Earth – Vultures disappear from 72% of historical nesting sites, WII assessment reveals
   https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/vultures-disappear-from-72-of-historical-nesting-sites-wii-assessment-reveals
2. Times of India – Alarm bells: First national vulture survey finds 70% decline in historic nesting sites
   https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/alarm-bells-first-national-vulture-survey-finds-70-decline-in-historic-nesting-sites/articleshow/125020992.cms
3. National Geographic – Vultures: Endangered scavengers and ecosystem impact
   https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/vultures-raptors-africa-endangered-disappearing
4. New Indian Express – Vulture population across three south states rises to 320
   https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Jan/25/vulture-population-across-three-south-states-rises-to-320-maximum-nesting-found-in-tamil-nadu
5. Wildlife Institute of India / WGBIS – Vulture Conservation and Ecology Reports
   https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/envis/doc98html/ecovul99716.html