Egyptian Vultures: The Unfortunate Victims

Abstract

Vultures are the keystone species and very important scavengers responsible for the maintenance of balance of ecosystem. Diclofenac is the main reason of mass decline in the population of vultures in India but there are other factors too that are adversely affecting the vultures, like the shortage of food after the change in lifestyle of people, the closure of slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, indiscriminate cutting of trees as a part of urbanization, and the unawareness regarding the importance of vultures. Due to rapid urbanization and deforestation the whole natural equilibrium has changed. It has displaced vultures from their habitats. The present study aimed at showing the drastic decline in the population of Egyptian Vultures in Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh. Repeated surveys show that there has been a decline in individuals from an average 171 individuals to only 02 individuals. Strict measures and proper awareness with comprehensive education regarding the environment helps people to understand how important these species are and there is the necessity to keep these species alive from the brink of extinction.

Keywords

• Vultures
• threats
• Urbanization
• Raebareli
• Egyptian vultures