Endangered Himalayan vulture, bred in captivity for the first time in India
Context
At the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati, researchers documented the first occurrence of captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) in India.
What do we know about Himalayan vultures?
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- The Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World vulture (Accipitridae) native to the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau.
- The Himalayan Griffon Vulture is not the same as the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), which is a similar species.
- It mostly lives in the higher reaches of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of above 1500 metres.
- They are found in western and central China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan, and Mongolia.
- Even though they are also susceptible to diclofenac poisoning, Himalayan griffon vulture populations have not shown signs of rapid
- Scientific Name: Gyps himalayensis
- IUCN Status: Near Threatened
- Genus: Gyps
Under which law are they protected?
Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule IV
What are the other vultures found in India?
- India is home to 9 species of Vulture which are,
- The Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and Eurasian Griffon.
- Bearded Vulture, Long-billed Vultures, Slender-billed Vulture, and Oriental white-backed Vulture are protected under the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- Old World Vultures:
- Old World vultures are found in the Old World, i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.
- They belong to the family Accipitridae, which includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks along with vultures.
- Old World Vultures specifically belong to the subfamily Aegypiinae of Accipitridae.
