Conservation Surge for Critically Endangered Slender-Billed Vultures
Environment & Ecology · Saturday, 8 August 2026
Targeted breeding and sanctuary programs have reported success in stabilizing populations of the Critically Endangered Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) in Northern and North-Eastern India. Specialized Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) have mitigated diclofenac exposure in breeding habitats.
Quick highlights
- Scientific Name: Gyps tenuirostris; IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
- Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Declined rapidly due to veterinary NSAID diclofenac poisoning through cattle carcasses.
- Vulture Safe Zones (100-km radius free of toxic veterinary drugs) operationalized.
- Conservation Breeding Centres established in Assam (Rani) and Haryana (Pinjore).
Context
Conservationists reported new fledglings from Slender-billed Vulture breeding facilities in North-East India.
Key Facts
Slender-billed vultures are slender-necked scavengers native to the sub-Himalayan belt and Southeast Asia. The ban on veterinary diclofenac and replacement with meloxicam supported recovery.
Significance
Vultures clean ecosystems by consuming livestock carcasses, preventing carcass-borne bacterial pathogens and rabies outbreaks.
Exam Angle
Frequent topic in Prelims (IUCN Status, Wildlife Protection Act, Diclofenac ban, Action Plan for Vulture Conservation).
Remember this
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
- Primary cause of crash: Veterinary drug Diclofenac (causes renal failure).
- Safe replacement drug: Meloxicam.
- Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres: Pinjore (Haryana), Rani (Assam).
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