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In a surprising and concerning incident, a White-rumped vulture, classified as critically endangered, was discovered in distress on a road in Chennai and died despite rescue efforts.
The young raptor was initially found by local residents and subsequently handed over to the forest department in Velachery on Sunday. Given its poor condition, it was immediately transported to Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD) for urgent care but, unfortunately, did not survive.
The presence of the White-rumped vulture in Chennai is puzzling, as there are no known resident populations in or near the city.
This unusual appearance has raised questions about how the vulture ended up in the area. The bird has been sent to Vandalur Zoo for a postmortem examination to determine the cause of its condition and death.
Initial speculation suggested that the vulture may have escaped from Vandalur Zoo, which recently acquired new vultures as part of an animal exchange program. However, zoo officials have confirmed that all their vultures are accounted for, ruling out this possibility.
Experts believe the vulture's presence in Chennai might be due to stray movement, as there have been occasional sightings of solitary vultures in regions such as Kanniyakumari. White-rumped vultures are known for their long-range flying capabilities, with the ability to travel between 80-100 km in just a few hours.
Historically, large populations of White-rumped vultures were known to nest on Sriharikota Island during the 1990s, and they have also been observed in the Nellapattu area, suggesting a possible link to the recent sighting.
Tamil Nadu continues to serve as an important nesting and foraging ground for these critically endangered birds, with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve reporting the highest population of 78 vultures, followed by Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve with 70, Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka with 65, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary with 51, according to the latest synchronised vulture population estimation.
The unexpected appearance and subsequent death of the vulture in Chennai highlight the challenges faced by these endangered birds and signify the need for continued conservation efforts in the region.
Click here to read how the vanishing vulture population is causing more than 5,00,000 human deaths.
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