On 4 April 2025, Dr. K. Ponmudy, Minister for Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN), released the ‘Synchronised Vulture Survey-2025’ in TN, a census report revealing a steady rise in vulture numbers, with an estimated population of 390 vultures over the landscapes of TN, Kerala, and Karnataka in 2024-2025, up from 320 in 2023-24.
- This is the 3rd landscape level synchronized population estimation and was conducted from February 27 to 28, 2025.
Note: The first landscape synchronized vulture population estimation in TN, Karnataka, and Kerala was conducted in 2023, which estimated the total number of vultures as 246.
About Synchronised Vulture Survey-2025:
i.The 2025 Survey was organised in the states of TN, Kerala, and Karnataka and was coordinated by the Forest Department of TN with the Forest Departments of Kerala and Karnataka.
ii.TN alone recorded 157 vultures, with 110 White-Rumped vulture species, followed by the Long-billed vulture (31), Red-headed vulture (11), and Egyptian vulture (5).
- While Kerala accounts for a total of 125 vulture populations, and Karnataka hosts a total of 108.
iii.The survey employed the vantage point count method, utilizing 106 observation points across the three states, with 33 located in TN.
iii.The 2025 census covered 7 protected areas where vulture populations are known to exist.
Surveyed Areas:
i.Tamil Nadu (TN): Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Nilgiris, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Erode, Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Tirunelveli.
ii.Kerala: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in Wayanad.
iii.Karnataka: Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in the districts of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) in Chamarajanagar, and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Kodagu and Mysuru districts.
Key Sites in TN:
i.The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is home to a significant breeding population of vultures.
ii.According to the survey, there are 8 breeding locations with 60 active nests and an estimated 120 vultures.
- This population comprises mainly White-rumped (108), followed by Long-billed (10), and Red-headed (2).
- Notably, 34 chicks were recorded, reflecting successful reproduction.
iii.For the first time in southern India, a Red-Headed vulture nest was recorded at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in TN.
Note: White-rumped, Long-billed, Red-headed, and Slender-billed vultures are now Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red-List classification.
About Tamil Nadu(TN):
Chief Minister (CM)- Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
Governor– Ravindra Narayana Ravi
Wildlife Sanctuary– Palani (Kodaikanal) Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserve– Srivilliputhur – Meghamalai Tiger Reserve
