Pulling vultures back from brink

​Adilabad: Vultures, which are also known as scavengers, are almost extinct across the country.The Telangana State Biodiversity Board has identified that these avian species are on the verge of extinction in the two Telugu-speaking States.

Recently the Forest officials found the rare species atop Palarapu Gutta, a small hillock, on the outskirts of Nandigama under the limits of Muraliguda Forest Range under Bejjur mandal of Asifabad mandal.

When the Forest officials spotted them, there were hardly 10 vultures. Immediately, the Forest officials swung into action to protect them after confirming that Palarapu Gutta is an ideal place for the vultures to survive. Slowly, the number has increased and at present there are 32 vultures taking shelter in nine nests, according to Ravikant, officer who has taken upon his shoulders the task of protecting the endangered species. He said all precautions were being taken to provide food to these vultures.

In olden days, the vultures used to live on eating carcasses. However, the vulture population declined with the birds falling sick on eating carcasses because the cattle were administered Diclofenac, anti-inflammatory drug. After the scientists identified the medicine responsible for the extinction of vultures, the government, though belatedly, banned the medicine for cattle.

The Forest officials are providing four carcasses to these vultures every month. They have even posted five forest guards to protect them. Vultures help a lot to preserve environment clean by eating the carcasses thrown on the outskirts of the villages.

That is why these are called scavengers since they clean the environment. These vultures travel 60 km a day which means they clean the area up to 60 km by eating the carcasses. The animal lovers express happy that the Forest Department is taking precautions to protect these endangered species. Animal lover, Yogiswar, appealed to the State government to take steps to protect these endangered species.